Boyd: Ross County should go for the Kill-ie in big games
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SCOTT Boyd believes Ross County must embrace a little of Stevie Clarke’s Kilmarnock philosophy to avoid regular batterings by the Premiership’s big three.
The Dingwall club’s sporting director, with a community remit far removed from the cut and thrust of match-day, would never presume to tell County’s management how to do their jobs.
He is convinced Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson will already have identified where improvement must come after shipping 16 goals in four defeats to Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen, twice.
But the club legend speaks with authority on shackling the Old Firm.
On no fewer than 10 occasions at County and Killie, the retired 33-year-old achieved big results against the Glasgow giants.
His record features County’s famous Scottish Cup semi-final triumph over Celtic, another Staggies’ win against the Hoops, two Killie victories over Rangers and six draws in all against the Old Firm.
Under now Scotland manager Clarke, Boyd revelled in that defiance. Parkhead boss Brendan Rodgers’ exasperation after four failed attempts to beat Killie provoked insult.
Boyd recalled: “Steve was a great guy to work for. He instilled belief we would get results against the Old Firm. It all stemmed from hard work and organisation.
“We had great success. At one stage, we were on some crazy run against Brendan’s Celtic and he was getting frustrated. We drew at Parkhead and he said it was like playing 11 firefighters.
“Steve responded saying Brendan was being quite disrespectful – to his own team – if they couldn’t beat 11 firefighters!
“Celtic wanted to be creative. We wanted to stop them, plain and simple. Remember, there is a huge gulf in resources.
“Jermain Defoe, who came on for Rangers here, earns more than our entire squad.”
Boyd backs the managers to the hilt.
He said: “The Old Firm are putting everybody to the sword. It is about finding a way to be compact. The longer we stay in a game, the better chance we have.
“I know the managers as colleagues and friends. It is hurting them more than anybody, but they will address it. It is a challenge, but as a player and club these are the games you want to be involved in. We’re sixth in the league. We’ve had a good start. There are going to be ups and downs.
“As I said at our supporters’ meeting, the managers don’t get the credit they deserve for taking us straight back up last season. We need to keep building on that.”
