Boyd not done yet after breaking County appearance record
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THERE is still more to come from Ross County favourite Scott Boyd after he broke the club’s appearance record in midweek.
Boyd’s start against Ayr United in the League Cup took him to 288 games for the club, breaking McCulloch’s five-year-old mark and at 29, the centre-back insists there is still plenty in the tank.
A new two-year contract in the summer proved a motivation for Boyd to continue doing as he always has: giving his all for the cause and proving his worth to the club.
Only a freak neck injury, sustained on the day of the St Johnstone game, prevented him from breaking that marker earlier and allowed Chris Robertson to start the subsequent three games.
Jim McIntyre handed Boyd a recall for the visit of Ayr on Tuesday for a landmark that was not lost on the experienced defender.
"It’s a great achievement. Funnily enough it was the guy that released me that I was playing against to get the milestone, so I don’t know if that was meant to be. It’s great to reach that milestone and Buffer (Mark McCulloch) was my old team-mate. He was such a great pro and I’m delighted to overtake him, but the most important thing is we’re in the next round of the cup.
"It’s been amazing and a great time to play at Ross County. I’ve been fortunate to play with a lot of great players. I’ve always been one of the fittest and that’s what I’ve prided myself on. Hopefully there’s still a long time ahead so I can put a real marker down on this record."
It was with a certain amount of irony that his record-breaking apperance came against the manager, Ian McCall, who decided he was surplus to requirements when he had him at Partick Thistle. Boyd was allowed to leave on loan to County in the summer of 2007 before making a permanent switch at the turn of the year.
Team-mates have come and gone but Boyd has remained a constant at the Global Energy Stadium, overseeing the clubs rise from a Second Division side to being an established Premiership force. McIntyre was quick to recognise the service given by the former Livingston youngster.
"It’s a fantastic achievement. At modern day clubs, players that stay so long and make that number of appearances will be a dying breed," he said. "He’s a model professional, a conscientious boy and we’re all delighted for him."
Boyd will hope he has done enough to retain a place for the game against Dundee United tomorrow and given the form of both clubs to start the new season, it is one the hosts could expect to do well in.
"We just take every game as it comes. It’s another chance to get points on the board and we’re under no illusions that they’re a big club," added Boyd.
McIntyre yesterday ruled out any move for former Caley Thistle striker Billy Mckay, who was headed to Dundee United for talks as the Courier went to press.
The midweek game against Ayr was decided by goals in either half from Liam Boyce and Michael Gardyne, which earned the Staggies a tie against Falkirk at home in the third round.
