Mahood insists Boyd is just so like McCoist
Alan Mahood scored the only goal when Kilmarnock beat Martin O’Neill’s Treblewinning Celtic at Rugby Park in the final fixture of the 2000/01 campaign. It took Killie into the UEFA Cup at Hearts’expense, but the midfielder reckons that the fact Kris Boyd made his senior debut, while Ally McCoist played for the last time, may have been the most significant aspect of the afternoon. “It was like the torch being passed on that day,” Mahood claims. “The two of them are similar types and proven goalscorers. “Boydie has had stick about his weight and movement over the years, but you don’t score the amount of goals he has without good movement. “He just knows how to make a yard for himself – and Coisty was the same. Boydy hasn’t really changed his game, although when he was a young boy he did run about and do the full shift. “As you get older, you tailor your game to suit yourself and he’s done that.” Boyd surprised many people – including himself – by being the Premiership’s top gun last season. He turned 35 yesterday but Mahood wouldn’t bet on him repeating the feat. “The big yin has a tattoo that says: ‘The goals don’t move’, and that’s always been his motto,” he said. “How long can he go on? You’d need to ask him how his body feels. “Coisty was 38 when he stopped, so I don’t see any reason why Boydy can’t do that too.” If he does, then he may yet increase his 220 top-tier goal haul by enough to overhaul McCoist’s total of 255. “It’s a big ask – he’d need to do really well in the next two or three seasons,” Mahood admitted. “But goalscorers are always chasing targets so maybe that’s in the back of his mind and keeps him hungry.” Mahood has been helping to bring through the next generation of stars for the Ayrshire club, and he’s been thrilled by the impact manager Steve Clarke has made since arriving last October. “People say to me: ‘Rugby Park must be some place to work right now’ – and it is,” he said. “Steve has brought the feelgood factor back. “We’re hard to beat, with a team that doesn’t concede easily. “Steve has transformed the place.”
nAlan Mahood was speaking at the launch of The Kris Boyd Testimonial, awarded after years of sterling service during three spells with Kilmarnock. For details on Testimonial events, including a Sportsman’s Dinner on September 8, follow @boydyofficial