Quinn hails treble hero Boyce daddy of the derby
LIAM BOYCE, with an exquisitely taken hat-trick, wrote his name into the Highland derby record books. Then, with a heartfelt dedication, he wrote his baby daughter’s across the pages of the Sunday newspapers.
It was quite a weekend for the intriguing Northern Ireland international talent, not to mention unsuspecting twomonth-old Scout, but none of it came as any surprise to his captain, Paul Quinn.
Remarkably, it was the first time a treble had been recorded in 22 years of competitive action between the two northerly foes — a feat past players such as Barry Wilson, Dennis Wyness and Billy Mckay all failed to achieve.
As far as Quinn is concerned, though, Boyce, the former Werder Bremen and Cliftonville striker, can pretty much do anything he wants when in the mood.
After an untimely broken hand in January, Boyce had lost his way in the second part of last season with a goal drought that cost him a place in Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland Euro 2016 squad.
A return of 18 goals up to Christmas evaporated into just two more before the season finished, leaving Boyce at home with new baby daughter Scout.
The wee lass is too young to know it but her daddy — who saved the match ball for her on Saturday — has since said he would never have swapped being at her birth for the big stage in France.
But on this kind of sensational form, Boyce will surely be hurtling back into contention in O’Neill’s plans for the looming World Cup qualifier in the Czech Republic.
‘He is unplayable when he is in that kind of form,’ said Quinn. ‘He was an absolute handful for them. His touch, finishing, movement and desire are amazing.
‘On another day, he could have had a few more goals but he is at home with the match ball and the man-ofthe-match award — and deservedly so. ‘When we get service to guys like Boycey and keep the door closed at the back, we are a very good side. There will be dips along the way this season but we have total faith in the manager that we can have a good campaign.’
The Ross County players must be sick of having to answer for their club’s historic failings in Highland derbies.
Saturday’s deceptively one-sided victory was only the 13th all-time win in all competitions in more than two decades since joining the Scottish league. Caley Thistle have claimed 26 wins in 52 fixtures.
‘We are all football fans at the end of the day and we know the County fans are disappointed with our derby record,’ said Quinn. ‘This was all about us getting our season off and running.’
County took the lead when Craig Curran picked out Boyce between home defenders Kevin McNaughton and Gary Warren for a headed opener after only seven minutes.
Richard Foster’s angled high ball forward from the right found Boyce and he controlled the ball in the box before flashing a shot into the net for the second goal.
Controversy flared on half-time, when referee Andrew Dallas clearly blew his whistle before a challenge between Andrew Davies and Caley Thistle’s Scott Boden curiously sent the ball past County No 1 Scott Fox.
They were incensed, claiming Fox had hesitated in his dive when the whistle sounded. It’s understood Dallas admitted later he had mistakenly blown for offside but seeing no flag from his assistant allowed the goal to stand.
Boyce headed in his team’s third before Ross Draper’s goal again reduced the leeway. INVERNESS CT (4-2-3-1): Fon Williams 6; Raven 6, McNaughton 3 (Horner 27), Warren 5, Tremarco 6; Draper 7, Tansey 6; Polworth 6, Vigurs 6 (Doran 75), King 6 (Mulraney 56); Boden 6. Subs not used: Esson, Brown, Fisher, Sutherland. Booked: Raven, Fon Williams, Draper, Horner. ROSS COUNTY (4-4-2): Fox 6; Cikos 6, Davies 7, Quinn 6, McEveley 7; Foster 6, Woods 7, Routis 7, Gardyne 6 (Franks 90); Boyce 8 (McShane 90), Curran 7 (Schalk 88). Subs not used: McCarey, Dingwall, Graham, Van der Weg. Booked: Curran, Davies, Foster, Gardyne, Routis. Referee: Andrew Dallas. Attendance: 4,204. Man of match: Liam Boyce.