Dundee Utd v Kilmarnock: Kris Boyd’s Scotland hope

Kris Boyd is congratulated by Sammy Clingan. Picture: SNS

Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd believes he can add a lot to the Scotland set-up after rediscovering his goal touch.

Boyd was a late call-up to the squad for the friendly in Norway in November, three years after his 18th and most recent cap. He has since boosted his international prospects by scoring nine goals in ten games for Kilmarnock and is certain to be in Gordon Strachan’s thoughts ahead of the game against Poland on 5 March.

The former Rangers and Middlesbrough striker this week admitted he had the ambition to test himself at a bigger club again, and the desire that has returned him to prolific form extends to his international hopes.

Boyd said: “I want to be involved and I look forward to the squad being named. I’m 30 years old now, I’m over being left out of big games, I’m over being left out of squads. That has past me now.

“If it happens, it happens. I will come into training on Monday morning and work again and be ready to do the business for Kilmarnock. But I look forward to the squad being named and hopefully I am part of it because I feel I can give a lot for Scotland now.”

While Boyd’s self-confidence is high, it appears to be accompanied by increased self-awareness. Kilmarnock boss Allan Johnston has praised his leadership qualities, and the striker is focused on getting Kilmarnock up the table from eighth place in the Scottish Premiership as they prepare to face Dundee United at Tannadice today.

“Where we were at the start of the season was tough for us,” Boyd said. “But we always felt if we got a good run together we were as good as Dundee United, Inverness, Hibs, St Johnstone.

“If we want to get in the top six, then we need to start getting results.”

United manager Jackie McNamara believes his side can recapture the form they showed before Christmas and, after last weekend’s Scottish Cup victory over St Mirren, is looking for back-to-back wins when Kilmarnock visit.

He said: “They’re never easy games against Killie but we’re looking on the positive side of things and focusing on what we’re good at.

“Every team goes through a not-so-good patch and hopefully we can kick on now in terms of results.”