Leven: Boyd is as hungry as ever
Kris Boyd is as hungry for goals as he was a decade ago, according to Kilmarnock assistant coach Peter Leven.
Leven was a Killie midfielder between 2004 and 2007 when he watched Boyd emerge at Rugby Park as a goal-scoring talent before moving on to Rangers and earning international honours with Scotland.
The 32-year-old striker returned to the Ayrshire club for the third time this summer after a second spell at Rangers, which ended in disappointment with the Ibrox club failing to get promoted out of the Championship.
After opening his account with the equaliser in the 2-2 Ladbrokes Premiership draw at Partick Thistle on Saturday after coming on as substitute, Leven expects his former team-mate to move up the scoring charts.
Ahead of the visit of Ross County on Saturday, he said: "I've known Boydy for years and he is a goalscorer. He always has been and he still has the hunger and desire.
"Boydy always want to score goals, even in training.
"I am delighted he got that goal on Saturday and it was a great header.
"He is a big asset for us. He has been here twice before and done very well and hopefully he does it the third time too."
Ross County full-back Richard Foster has a chance of making the game. Foster came off with a hamstring problem against Hearts last weekend but could make a swift comeback.
Ross County frontman Michael Gardyne admits he learned a lot from Boyd, but now he wants to teach his old Kilmarnock team a lesson of his own.
The Staggies playmaker is due to return to Rugby Park for Saturday's Ladbrokes Premiership fixture.
The 29-year-old has only fond memories of his stint with the Ayrshire club after clinching a season-long loan move from Dundee United in the summer of 2013.
And, in particular, he enjoyed feeding off the penalty-box wisdom of poacher Boyd.
But Gardyne is not ready to let that old pals' act distract him after insisting his only focus this weekend will be on firing Jim McIntyre's side to their second win of the campaign.
He said: "I enjoyed my time at Killie. I played with big Kris Boyd up front and it was a good learning curve. Even though I was 27, it was good to play with someone like him.
"He went back to Rangers last year but it hasn't worked out for him. Now he's back at Killie and he scored last week. He is obviously looking much better and his confidence will be up.
"It was a good place to play and there are still some of the boys there who I played with, but they have obviously brought some new guys in too. I think they will do well this season.
"But it's all about us really. We're just worrying about us.
"It's a big game for us, even if it is still early doors. They have a good team but we are going down there to win the game."
Source: PAR
