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| <-Page | <-Team | Mon 13 Nov 2006 Falkirk 1 Hearts 1 | Team-> | Page-> |
| <-Srce | <-Type | Herald ------ Preview | Type-> | Srce-> |
| Eduard Malofeev | <-auth | DARRYL BROADFOOT | auth-> | Mike McCurry |
| 72 | of 080 | Andrius Velicka 65 Latapy 84 | L SPL | A |
Boyd sets his goals for the futureDARRYL BROADFOOT November 16 2006 Kris Boyd knows his own worth. Convincing Paul Le Guen remains an ongoing concern. The Rangers striker arrived back in Glasgow yesterday after a welcome break with the Scotland B team in Dublin. He will return to training at Murray Park this morning to prepare for Sunday's Bank of Scotland Premierleague game against Hearts at Tynecastle hopeful, but not entirely certain, about his remit. Boyd is the poacher turned ball-keeper; a natural-born scorer now required to offer a more rounded service for club and, it seems, country. Le Guen has been criticised for his insistence that Boyd offers more than a predatory streak inside the penalty area but he appears to have found an ally in Walter Smith. Against the Republic of Ireland's B team, Boyd found himself in a familiar scenario in the dark blue of Scotland to the one encountered in light blue. Smith's set-up bore more than passing resemblance to Le Guen's contentious dynamic, with Boyd the focal point of an attack which included Steven Naismith and Chris Clark in supporting roles. Scotland's most renowned plunderer has grown weary of the long-running debate over how best to utilise his coveted talents. Yesterday, he mulled over the exorbitant transfer fees changing hands across Europe for the rare breed – Chelsea's £30m signing of Andriy Shevchenko the most recent – yet reiterated his loyalty to Rangers. "Many managers will pay good money for a goalscorer, but that's life," he said. "We are in a team game and one part of the jigsaw is putting the ball in the net, so I don't see the problem with it. "My performances some weeks have not been good enough and there have been reasons to drop me and reasons to do whatever. I have had four or five assists in a five- week period so I feel I have contributed. It's up to me to take my chance and do enough to stay in the team." Boyd was again relegated to the bench against Dunfermline last week but, replacing Lee Martin after the interval, ended Rangers' unease with the opening goal in a 2-0 win. It was his ninth of the season, a creditable return for an infrequent performer. For all his travails, he refuses to countenance a future away from Ibrox. "I have always said I would be happy if I finished my career at Rangers and I will stick to that," he said. His exploits last week are likely to be enough ensure another promotion for Sunday's fascinating visit to Tynecastle. As Hearts threaten to combust, there is growing speculation that Craig Gordon might yet be the latest to pay for his part in attempting to unite a club riven by internal politics. Steven Pressley's captaincy, and indeed future, is in jeopardy after he was banished from the team to play Falkirk, while Paul Hartley, the other Scot to show support for Pressley, made a 30-second cameo as a substitute. It remains unclear who will take charge of a rudderless ship, far less who will play against Rangers, but Boyd believes the continued absence of Pressley would give Rangers a major psychological edge in a match they must win to retain a semblance of a title challenge. "It is always hard at Tynecastle but I don't think they will be able to replace a defender like Steven," said Boyd. "He is a big influence in the squad and when he came out and spoke it was his decision. He gives it his all like every defender in the SPL, he organises the defence and has been a major player for his country. "He has taken a stance and I think he will stand by that. You don't know what will happen at Hearts tomorrow. When you look at it it's unbelievable but it is not for me to say any more. It is up to us to go there and get three points. It doesn't matter if we play well or not but as long as we give our all, we should have enough to win the game." Arguably Rangers' most accomplished display of passing and purpose arose in the 2-0 victory against Hearts at Ibrox and Boyd would settle for a repeat performance. "Everything clicked in our last game against Hearts and it is up to us to keep up the fight," he said. Boyd was one of Scotland B's more prominent performers in a largely forgettable 0-0 draw against the Republic of Ireland. He is almost certain to be included in the squad to play Georgia and Italy next year, when Euro 2008 qualification resumes, but club issues have ensured his a man not likely to succumb to complacency in the meantime. "It's hard when you are too old for under-21s but not established in the first team so this is a good opportunity to help bridge that gap," he said. "I cannot take anything for granted. If my performances are not good enough I am not going to be involved. It is up to me to do well between now and then."  Taken from the Herald |
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