Kris Boyd is eagerly awaiting the start of the new season after marking his Middlesbrough debut with a goal.
The 26-year-old former Rangers frontman scored in Monday night's 1-1 friendly draw with Athlone Town in Ireland to open his account for Boro.
Boyd told the club's official website: "It was good to get off to a goalscoring start, but your first game of pre-season is always the worst.
"It's the hardest to get going in, but we got a good run-out and hopefully over the next two or three games, we can get our match sharpness ready for the first game of the new season.
"I feel as if I am starting to get there a bit. I missed a week - the boys were back in a week before me - but I feel as if I am starting to get somewhere now.
"Over the next two or three games, hopefully, I can get my sharpness in front of goal and be ready for the opening day of the season."
Source: PA