Booing was a ‘disgrace’, insists Boyd

FORMER Scotland striker Kris Boyd believes the booing that greeted match-winner Chris Martin at Hampden on Sunday was an ‘absolute disgrace’. The striker was jeered by a section of the Tartan Army when he came off the bench to replace James Morrison in the 82nd minute against Slovenia. Six minutes later, Martin had transformed the noise into jubilant cheers as his late goal sealed a vital Group F victory to maintain hope of the World Cup play-offs. Afterwards, manager Gordon Strachan praised the 28-year-old and said iconic figures such as Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen and Gary McAllister had dealt with similar flak from the stands. ‘For me, it’s an absolute disgrace that any footballer should be booed on to the pitch,’ Boyd told BBC 5 Live. ‘Gordon speaks very well and has done well to cover it up with the names he’s mentioned.’ Neil McCann also lamented the treatment of Martin, insisting it could have had a detrimental effect on the team. The former Scotland winger said: ‘I’m pretty disappointed with the reception he got when he came on. I thought it was

poor. He didn’t have a great game against Canada, but that guy has got us a lifeline. ‘That’s not nice when you hear that, to come on to the pitch to those boos. ‘I can understand the nerves and apprehension, but it doesn’t help anyone, that. ‘Fair play to the guy. He came on and got us out a hole. Maybe that will kick-start his Scotland career and I hope it does because it certainly kick-started our campaign.’ Boyd, meanwhile, was also fulsome in his praise of Strachan, whom he worked under during his time at Middlesbrough. ‘If they hadn’t got the win, I think Gordon would have walked,’ added Boyd. ‘He would have felt there was no way back. ‘Massive credit needs to go to the manager. He took a chance starting Kieran Tierney at right-back and putting Stuart Armstrong in for his debut. He was man of the match by a mile. ‘It was also a big call to leave out Darren Fletcher, who was captain.’