Durrant pays tribute to revitalised Boyd ahead of series of testimonial events
Steve Clarke has been the inspiration to the renaissance of Kris Boyd, according to Ian Durrant who has helped launch a series of testimonial events for the Kilmarnock and Rangers stalwart.
Durrant feared that Boyd had lost his mojo and wondered whether the goals had dried up for the striker. But he knows to his own cost how revitalised he has been after Boyd – now 34 – slammed a hat-trick against Dumbarton, where Durrant is assistant to Stevie Aitken.
Durrant said: “Kris has been different class for Kilmarnock with the things he’s done and the goals he’s scored. He was
a wee bit disillusioned before Steve Clarke came in. He’d picked up a couple of injuries and he was finding it hard but now he has a new lease of life.
“For him to have been the Premiership’s top scorer last season – at his age and playing for Kilmarnock – is an unbelievable achievement.
“We were 2-1 up and quite comfortable when he came on against Dumbarton in a Betfred group game and I said to Stevie ‘You know what’s going to happen now’.
“He had four touches and scored a hat-trick – a great header, a first-time finish from a ball into the box and then a terrific strike – and our keeper saved his effort from his other touch. He’s a machine.”
Durrant has warned Rangers they will have to shackle him on Sunday when they meet in the last 16 of the Betfred Cup.
He added: “He’ll definitely be a threat to Rangers. If Killie can create chances then he’ll put them away – if Kris plays on Sunday then Rangers will need to score.”
● Boyd’s testimonial events start with a sportsman’s dinner in Glasgow on 8 September and a match will form part of Kilmarnock’s 150th anniversary celebrations next year. For details on Testimonial events follow @Boydyofficial on Twitter.