Patience pays off as Boyd grabs his chance

there from the start of my career, five years in Geneva for Servette.

“But when I moved to Bradford I started to play more in midfield or right midfield when we played a diamond.

“It is never easy to go back to a position I haven’t played for a while, but if the manager needs me to I am happy to play there and give the maximum.

“I can do a good job – I have good concentration, I think. Overall, it can be easier at centre back although not so much here in Scotland because the football is a bit different.

“Sometimes in training, because we haven’t a big squad, I need to play as a defender.

“It isn’t a problem but I just need to make sure my head is 100% concentrated and give the best for the team.”

Routis is also keen to make his presence felt at the other end of the field, with the 27-year-old netting the opener in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw against Kilmarnock. He is eager to help to ease the burden on the Staggies’ attackers, adding: “To be honest, I prefer to win than score but it is always good for a player to score, especially a midfielder.

“To get a good result, you don’t need the strikers to score. Its important but the midfield need to contribute.

“That was my second goal in the league this year. I hope I will score more but I will be happy on Saturday if everyone but me scores and we win the tree points.”

County squandered a two-goal lead against Killie in midweek, however Routis feels his side must look to try and build on their promising first-half display, which Coyle described as the best County have played since he took charge in September.

Routis added: “The feeling was really down after the game because we played really good football in the first half.

“I don’t know why we stopped playing foot- ball. As a team, in the firsthalf we were really good. With the ball we were really calm. We showed what we can do and deserved more.

“We need to use that first half as encouragement. We know we are capable of that level of play and we need to do it for 90 minutes.

“We saw how we caused Kilmarnock lots of problems and we need more of that. Then we will get results.” Patience paid off for former Ross County defender Scott Boyd when he made his first Premiership appearance of the season in midweek.

Boyd had not played for Kilmarnock since the opening match of the domestic campaign after an ankle injury which kept him out for the final few weeks of last season flared up again following his side’s Betfred Cup defeat to Ayr in midJuly.

The 31-year-old centre back had to wait several months for his chance under Steve Clarke after returning to fitness. But he refused to panic and he helped Killie claim a point against the Staggies after Gordon Greer went off with a groin strain.

With Greer struggling, Boyd is likely to keep his place for today’s visit of

“Breath of fresh air and all the boys have been enjoying it”

Motherwell and he is relishing the chance to be part of former West Brom manager Clarke’s rejuvenation of the team. Killie have only lost twice in 10 games and have taken seven points from their last three.

Boyd said: “He has brought something different to the club and results have been better in recent weeks. He has been a breath of fresh air and all the boys have been enjoying it.

Elliott Frear is a major fitness doubt for Motherwell’s trip to face Kilmarnock following his impressive display against Partick Thistle in midweek.

Trevor Carson (shoulder), Chris Cadden (hamstring), Peter Hartley (foot), Alex Fisher (concussion) and Ellis Plummer (hamstring) all remain on the sidelines ahead of the Ladbrokes Premiership clash.

Preston-bound Louis Moult (hamstring) has likely played his last game for the club with his injury expected to keep him out for the rest of the month.