‘Fantastic’ Boyd weighs in with crucial strike for Killie
LEE McCULLOCH reckons opposition fans can taunt Kris Boyd all they like about his weight – as every ounce is pure gold.
The Kilmarnock caretaker manager was thrilled with a smash- and- grab raid in the Highlands as Conor Sammon and veteran goal-getter Boyd netted the vital strikes.
County had the greater chances and pressure, but Killie – inspired by Boyd – hit the mark when it mattered either side of Liam Boyce’s reply.
The ex-Rangers and Scotland man, taunted mercilessly by Motherwell fans the previous Saturday before he netted the 200th Premiership goal of his career, showed again in Dingwall he still had the golden touch with the late clincher.
Victory hoisted Killie four points above County.
McCulloch, grinning at the accidental reference to the striker’s heft, said: “Kris is worth his weight in gold.
“His movement is fantastic, his finishing fantastic. He’s a credit to the club and all the young players around him look up to him. It is a fantastic win – I’m delighted.”
Boyd’s winner left the Dingwall team still without a 2017 home win in the league.
County were hit by a setback before a ball was even kicked when goalkeeper Scott Fox pulled up with a hamstring injury during the pre-match warm-up.
Irishman Aaron McCarey stepped into the fray with development squad keeper Mark Foden added to the bench.
It proved a lively first 10 minutes but that spell was deceptive, with scrappiness setting in through much of the first half.
Alex Schalk was in the thick of the action early on but amid several digs scythed one attempt over the bar from 10 yards.
But County were caught cold, falling behind within a couple of minutes of the second half re-start.
Killie won a throw on the right and Boyd’s head- flick caught the home defence napping, with Sammon finshing low into keeper Aaron McCarey’s right hand corner.
County reacted positively and substitute Chris Routis’s fierce strike drew a diving save from keeper Freddie Woodman from the edge of the box.
The Staggies were back level after 58 minutes. Amid more home pressure, Killie scrambled to clear from inside the penalty area, but Craig Curran was sharp enough to lay the ball back to Boyce who powered a low strike into the bottom left hand corner.
County retained the upper hand with a Schalk shot tipped over spectacularly by Woodman and Kenny van der Weg’s swiped volley striking the top of the bar.
But the Staggies efforts were undone again by the wily old finisher Boyd.
The record-breaking Rugby Park goalscorer latched on to a Longstaff ball which defender Quinn couldn’t deal with. The opening was meat and drink for Boyd who steadied in the middle of the box and thumped a simple rightfoot finish into the bottom corner of the net.
Home manager Jim McIntyre said: “We need to take a look at ourselves. I was pleased with 90% of what we did, but again we shot ourselves in the foot.”