PATIENCE paid off for Scott Boyd when he made his first Ladbrokes Premiership appearance of the season in midweek.
Boyd had not played for Kilmarnock since the opening match of the domestic campaign after an ankle injury which kept him out for the final few weeks of last season flared up again following his side’s Betfred Cup defeat to Ayr in mid-July.
The 31-year-old centre-back had to wait several months for his chance under Steve Clarke after returning to fitness. But he refused to panic and he helped Killie claim a point against Ross County after Gordon Greer went off with a groin strain.
The former Ross County defender said: “When a new manager comes in everyone is eager to impress and stake a claim for a place in the team. But I have been in football long enough to know that I will get an opportunity, through injury or suspension or whatever it may be, so you just have to make sure you do everything right on a daily basis, which is what I have done.
“It was obviously disappointing to see Gordon go off but I was happy to get in and get a positive result for the team. Hopefully I can stake a claim to stay in the team in the future.
“Me and the other boys who have been on the fringes have been working away hard in the background, making sure you are applying yourself right in training every day, so you are ready when you get the opportunity.
“I just had to wait for my opportunity and keep myself fit and hopefully now I can take it.”
With Greer struggling, Boyd is likely to keep his place for Saturday’s visit of Motherwell and he is relishing the chance to be part of former West Brom manager Clarke’s rejuvenation of the team. Killie have only lost twice in 10 games and have taken seven points from their last three.
Boyd said: “He has brought something different to the club and results have been better in recent weeks. He has been a breath of fresh air and all the boys have been enjoying it.”
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