Boyd left Rangers to pursue dream of English top flight stint

KRIS BOYD said last night that his decision to leave Rangers had nothing to do with money.

The prolific striker rejected a new contract offer at Ibrox in addition to a bid from Turkish side Kayserispor, managed by former Rangers player Shota Arveladze, to join Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough. However, he is adamant that his decision was made for football and family reasons.

Boyd added that the driving force behind his switch was the chance to have a crack at the English Premiership. He said: "Shota made me an exceptional offer and I thank him and his club for that.

"If I only had money on my mind I would have gone there but that's not what I'm about. I have a family to consider and taking everything into account Middlesbrough is the club where I want to be. I know how good it feels to win a title. I've won them with Rangers and I want that feeling with Middlesbrough this season. Gordon Strachan is assembling a good squad and we are aiming for promotion back to the Premier League. There will be a pressure to deliver on that front. But I'm hoping to thrive on it."

Boyd also believes he and ex-Celtic rival Scott McDonald can form a lethal partnership at the Riverside. He added: "For the last four or five years, it's always been me and Scott at the top of the scoring charts in Scotland. Either I've been top and he's been second or the other way around. But scoring goals isn't an easy job to do, so we've got that respect for each other. I'm sure we can work together and score the goals that can help Middlesbrough go forward.

"I'm looking forward to the season starting because I want to get the club back where it belongs, hopefully by winning the title."

Fellow Ibrox recruit Kevin Thomson was also sold on Middlesbrough by dreams of featuring in England's top flight. He said: "It's a new challenge and a fresh start for me. The Rangers fans were great to me and I'll never forget my time there.

"But now I'm ready to take a new step in my career. My ambition is to play in the Premier League and I think I can do that with Middlesbrough."

Meanwhile, a clutch of English Premier League clubs, including West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United and Fulham have ben credited with an interest in Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor, although it is believed the player keen to stay at Ibrox.

McGregor's agent, David Baldwin, said: "It is always flattering for Allan to know he is held in such high regard. But, as ever, he remains 100 per cent focused on Rangers."