Jefferies - critics get Boyd wrong

Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies believes Rangers striker Kris Boyd should not have to answer criticism over his general play – because he is second to none inside the box.

Boyd’s link-up play and work rate have drawn criticism from some quarters and Jefferies feels the 24-year-old is under constant scrutiny because he “comes alive in the box”.

The former Killie striker, who returns to Rugby Park on Saturday as Rangers look to remain top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, answered his critics yet again by coming off the bench to score for club and country in the past seven days.

And Jefferies feels his former charge risks reducing his impact in front of goal if he concerns himself too much with the build-up.

“He will probably have to work on many aspects of his game if he wants to improve,” the Killie boss said.

“But he has a very valid point. He says ’well, if I do that I might take away what I’m good at’ – and that’s in the box.

“That’s up to the manager and coaching staff to assess what they want in players – he’s in good hands with the people at Rangers.”

And Jefferies backed the Scotland forward to continue silencing the doubters.

“He will still finish top scorer this season,” the Killie boss said.

“It doesn’t matter what people say about Kris Boyd, he was first on the teamsheet for me because he is a goalscorer.

“That’s why we have to watch out for him big time because he does it instinctively and he has got good technique.

“Yes, he is like a lot of strikers, even the best of them miss chances but more often than not he sticks the ball in the net.”

Jefferies hailed Boyd for his winning goal in Wednesday’s international friendly against South Africa.

“He made the run and got the goal, which was still very difficult to execute, a tight angle, a half volley,” Jefferies said.

“But that’s Boydie, he doesn’t think too long about it. That’s the sign of a good striker.

“I’ve seen him score unbelievable goals, I’ve seen him miss sitters as well. But I’ll tell you, he doesn’t miss too many.”

Meanwhile, Jefferies is in the dark over speculation linking Plymouth with interest in winger Willie Gibson.

“We’ve had a bit of banter with Willie about that, I said I might take him there myself,” the former Hearts boss said.

“But I don’t know if there is any truth in it, nobody has been in contact.

“He will have plenty of time to develop here, he will do a great job for us.

“If clubs are interested we will deal with that when it comes about.”