Jim hails golden boy Boyce as Killie double takes goal tally to 23
Liam Boyce fired a double to step closer to clinching the top flight’s golden boot – and Jim McIntyre insists no one deserves it more.
The Ross County gaffer was in awe of his hitman who took his tally in the league to 23 goals this term.
The Northern Irishman’s prolific scoring has helped ensure the Staggies finished comfortably top of the bottom six.
Celtic rival Scott Sinclair could still match his total if he can put two goals past Hearts today.
But McIntyre insists his player would deserve the award more for carving out goals for County.
He said: “Liam has been fantastic and to get that amount of goals at a provincial club says a lot about him.
“He’s a fantastic professional. He’s conscientious and works his socks off so he deserves all the success and the plaudits going.
“It would be a fantast ic achievement if he gets top scorer and I hope he gets it – but he’d be the first to recognise his team-mates for their role in it.”
Conor Sammon fired Killie in front with a 10th- minute penalty but Boyce netted in both halves to bring the season to a close for the sides.
Afterwards Killie interim boss Lee McCulloch revealed he is ready to put pen to paper on a permanent deal to boss the Ayrshire club within the next 48 hours.
Rugby Park director Billy Bowie went on record to admit he wants to tie the former Rangers skipper down with a new deal.
McCulloch said: “If Billy’s saying it, then it’s probably going to happen.
“I’ll hopefully get to speak to him. He’s a busy man but hopeful ly we can sit down and come to an agreement about planning for the future of the club.”
Defeat means Kilmarnock finish in eighth place on 41 points, f ive behind County.
But the final places looked in doubt early on when Killie made the breakthrough. Jordan Jones was the architect , outfoxing Jonathan Franks and inviting the trip that was enough for ref Bobby Madden to point to the spot.
Sammon smashed a low shot into Aaron McCarey’s bottom-right hand corner and the Rugby Park side were ahead after 10 minutes.
The goal helped stabi l ise McCul loch ’ s men af ter an unconvincing start.
Kenny Van Der Weg volleyed high over the bar and Boyce failed to get a connection to a Marcus Fraser cross as County tried to level.
But the damage could have been doubled in the 40th minute when Greg Kiltie was free at the back post only to stab his effort wide.
The leveller came in 43 minutes as Franks’ shot hit a post and rolled along the line and Christopher Routis’s rebound was blocked by keeper Jamie MacDonald before Boyce forced the ball home.
There was more bad news for Killie as the half ended with Kiltie stretchered off after an ankle injury.
It’s another setback for the star whose season has been plagued by problems and McCulloch said: “Greg was taken to hospital so we’ll need to see how he is. There was a crack so we’re hoping he gets a bit of luck.
“He’d just been called up to the Scotland Under-20 squad for the Toulon tournament – he’s had a horrible season with injuries.”
Killie continued to carve out the better chances after the break and only a brilliant double stop from McCarey denied Adam Frizzell. But the goal instinct of Boyce struck again in 70 minutes. He broke clear and del ight ful ly lobbed MacDonald as the keeper rushed from his goal to try to intercept. Alex Schalk wasted a couple of chances to give County a cushion for their lead but the Highlanders easily held on.