Adams hails Killie striker Boyd
Ross County boss Derek Adams prepares for the crunch Scottish Premiership game against Kilmarnock in Dingwall on Saturday wishing he had someone like Killie striker Kris Boyd in his side.
The 30-year-old forward has scored 19 goals this season for the Rugby Park outfit who, with four games remaining, sit in ninth place, just two points ahead of the Staggies, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot.
Adams refused to comment on reports that striker Yoann Arquin had disappeared for several days without explanation.
The County boss also declined to talk about his touchline clash with Hearts utility player Jamie Hamill, who has been charged with "excessive misconduct" after knocking Adams over at Tynecastle in a bizarre incident during last week's defeat by the Jambos.
However, he was happy to talk about former Rangers and Middlesbrough striker Boyd.
"He has been fantastic for Kilmarnock this season," he said.
"He has scored a lot of goals, won them a lot of points and that is the benefit of having a player of that talent.
"We would all love to have a Kris Boyd in our team but he chose to go to Kilmarnock.
"It is very tight (at the bottom) with Hibernian, Partick Thistle, St Mirren, ourselves and Kilmarnock; three points separate us all so we have to pick up as many points as we possibly can to finish in a good position."
Adams is hoping his own striker Jordan Slew, the 21-year-old Englishman who arrived on loan from Blackburn in January, gets off the mark against the Ayrshire side.
"He has done well since he came here, he has delivered," said the former Hibernian assistant boss.
"There are people with different abilities. Jordan will run with the ball and he will occupy defenders.
"He has done well in the games and helped us by taking us up the park, being strong and creating chances for other players.
"He obviously lacked getting that first goal and it's something that he wants to get."
Kilmarnock forward Michael Gardyne is confident his side has the quality and character to get out of relegation danger.
Killie had the chance to move six points clear of the Scottish Premiership play-off spot last weekend but a 2-1 home defeat by Partick Thistle left them in the midst of a five-way battle.
But they have another opportunity to move away from second-bottom in Dingwall on Saturday when they bid to open a five-point lead over Ross County.
Gardyne said: "We have four massive games left and it doesn't get much harder than going away to Ross County. But we have been looking good in training this week and we are feeling confident.
"There is a bit of pressure there but when it comes to a Saturday you need to forget about that and just go and play your game.
"I think we've got the players and characters in there that can get us out of this.
"There are only three points between five teams so it could be anyone that goes in there. It just depends who turns up each Saturday and we need to make sure we are winning our games.
"It's good for the fans but we need to make sure it's good for us at the end of it."
Gardyne helped County into the top division but he has no qualms about helping send them back to the second tier.
The on-loan Dundee United player said: "I'm still in regular contact with a few of the boys but that goes out the window this week. Hopefully I can get one over on my old pals."
Source: PA
