Boyd expects goalscoring target to change after early net gains
● Striker doubles his Betfred Cup tally as he looks to make breakthrough with Accies this season
Hamilton Accies striker Steven Boyd has had his goalscoring target for the season re-assessed after hitting the third goal in the Premiership side’s 3-0 success over visitors Stenhousemuir that guided Martin Canning’s men into the last 16 of the Betfred Cup.
The 20-year-old had been given a target of three goals by Canning, however as he is up to two already the Accies manager has now upped the stakes.
Boyd headed in the third goal from a lovely curling pass from Danny Redmond with 16 minutes left to complete a routine victory over the League 2 outfit.
Ali Crawford’s fine first-half free-kick from 25 yards that flew over the Warriors wall and then dropped low past Chris Smith set them on their way and David Templeton drove a shot low into the far corner 11 minutes into the second half to ensure that Hamilton took full advantage of Albion Rovers and Queen of the South drawing in Dumfries.
The Premiership side topped Group G with Boyd glad to get the opportunity to show what he can do. He said: “I was on loan at Albion last season and scored a few goals, but when I came back here I did not play much so I am looking to break through this season. I have to take the chance when it comes my way.
“I came off the bench and scored an alright goal last weekend against Queen of the South, however they put a bit of a dampener on it by equalising.”
There was further disappointment in midweek when a penalty kick defeat after a 4-4 draw with the Coatbridge side had put Hamilton’s progress in jeopardy and left Boyd out to make amends.
The striker said: “I did not play very well and I got whipped off at half-time so I had a bit of a point to prove. I now hope that I will start against Aberdeen next week but that will be a totally different game to this one.”
As for meeting his manager’s expectations for the season Boyd said: “We are set targets and mine was to score three times this season. I want to score more than that and I am on two already. The target will probably change now.”
Canning will be giving Boyd clarification as he explained: “Steven did well on loan, but it never quite happened for him in the last couple of months when he came back. His attitude has been great and he is knocking on my door ready to play. I will need to go back to his target and put an asterisk against it saying league goals as he is nearly there already.
“I set all the young players targets to aim for in terms of games played and goals scored and he is nearly at his so it will be getting looked at.” Stenhousemuir boss Brown Ferguson said: “Our work-rate was very encouraging but we need to get more support into our strikers. However we will not be facing top-flight opponents every week so there is plenty to build on.”
“Steven did well on loan but it never quite happened for him when he came back. His attitude has been great and he is knocking on my door ready to play”
MARTIN CANNING