Kris Boyd: I can solve Scotland striker problem

RANGERS striker Kris Boyd believes he is the man who can provide the national team with the cutting edge which was lacking in Sunday’s creditable but costly 2-1 defeat to Germany in Dortmund.

Kris Boyd: Offering Scotland solution. Picture: SNS

The 31-year-old admits to watching in frustration as promising openings were squandered by Gordon Strachan’s side but he has no doubt in his ability to score for Scotland if he is given the opportunity.

Boyd was called into the squad for the friendly victory in Norway last season but did not come off the bench in Molde. However, he is confident that he can still do a job for his country.

“For me the most important thing right now is to continue in the Rangers jersey scoring goals,” he said.

“However, I’d be lying if I sat here and said I wasn’t looking to get back in a Scotland jersey. The next one [against Georgia on 11 October] is at Ibrox and it would be a special occasion to play there with Scotland.

“On a personal note, there’s no point me sitting here trying to sell myself to Gordon Strachan: he knows what I can do and knows what I can’t do. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If I’m playing regularly and scoring goals I don’t really think there is anybody better at finishing in Scotland.

“But there are three or four people ahead of me – maybe more, I don’t know – that are playing at a higher level down the road and doing it week in, week out.

“I might have to wait for my chance again [so] I need to keep myself in the Rangers team and continue scoring goals regularly.”

Boyd doesn’t believe that, in terms of being selected by Strachan, that he is at a disadvantage because he is playing in the Championship.

“At the end of the day it won’t change what I do,” he said. “Gordon knows what I can do as a player. He signed me.

“It doesn’t really matter what level I’m playing at because I’m not one who is going to drop 20-30 yards and take people on.

“Some people, you can look at their game and say: ‘He’s just running by people because he’s at a lower level’.

“That’s not the case with me. The most important thing for me is to get into positions.

“I’ve always said I depend a lot on my team-mates creating chances for me but if I can get myself into those positions I know I’ll score goals so it doesn’t matter what level I’m playing at.

“It’s probably more difficult at this level than the top-flight. Teams try and come out and play against you, whereas it’s been hard in the Championship as teams sit in: they’re hard to break down and might have two or three defenders around you at any given point.”