Kris Boyd not thinking of retiring any time soon
Kris Boyd insists he has no plans to hang up his shooting boots this summer and believes he can go on scoring goals for Kilmarnock for another year yet.
The veteran Rugby Park poacher turns 34 in August but has triggered the option of another year on his Killie contract.
Now, after blasting five goals in his last nine appearances, the former Rangers and Scotland frontman is convinced he can continue adding to his record Scottish Premiership scoring tally next term.
Boyd, who will skipper his side against Gers when they visit Ayrshire on Wednesday night, said: "I've still got another year left on my contract. I'm scoring goals and still feel I've got more left in me yet.
Kilmarnock may sit seventh, just four points behind Partick Thistle, but Boyd admits the chances of his side catching the Jags to claim a top-six slot remain remote.
Killie face Rangers, Celtic and Hearts in their final three games before the split and Boyd reckons his side will be lucky to take anything from that tough run.
He said: "We felt there was an opportunity to get into the top six but we never really spoke about it outside of our dressing room.
"But with the three games we finish with, that meant it was always going to be difficult.
"We've got Rangers first and they are still a very good side who will always cause you problems.
"That will be the same for us on Wednesday night. With the squad as thin as we have and the injury problems we have got it will be tough.
"We only trained with eight players on Monday and the manager is going to have to give some guys right up until kick-off to prove their fitness.
"Hopefully we can get a point. It's pretty difficult for a side like us to compete with these sides at the top and anything you can take off them is a bonus."
Meanwhile Lee Wallace has dealt new manager Pedro Caixinha a blow after being ruled out for up to four weeks with an abdominal injury.
As well as Wallace, the Portuguese coach is missing centre-backs Clint Hill, Philippe Senderos (both calf) and Rob Kiernan (knee) as well as full-back Lee Hodson (fever).
And Caixinha surprised reporters by taking the unusual step of naming his starting line-up to face Killie in his first away game in charge 36 hours before kick-off.
Rangers will start with Wes Foderingham in goal and a back four of James Tavernier, 20-year-old former Raith defender Bates, Danny Wilson and Beerman - an 18-year-old Malta international signed from Manchester City.
Sitting in front of that inexperienced back line will be Andy Halliday and Jason Holt, while striker Joe Garner will be supported by attackers Barrie McKay, Emerson Hyndman and Martyn Waghorn.
But the Light Blues boss is not worried about his patchwork defence.
"It is not important which players are out and which players are in," said the Rangers manager, who raised eyebrows when he hooked three members of his back four at half-time during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Motherwell.
"It's important the players we have starting the game we trust and believe in. After all, we're Rangers. And the players from our youth squad have to be ready when these chances come. So this is the moment.
"I've passed my trust and confidence to the guys. Now I've told them to go to Kilmarnock, enjoy it and do their work.
"This is our first one playing away but I've already told the players that playing away or playing at home is exactly the same thing. Three points is really what matters.
"We know the opponent will make it difficult but we also know that we believe in ourselves and are ready to fight for the points."
Source: PAR
