Kris Boyd has become the latest Scotsman to sign up for Gordon Strachan's Middlesbrough revolution. Like many of his new teammates, Boyd credited Strachan wirth being a major factor in his move over the border. His goalscoring record is literally unmatched in Scotland, and now he has come to try to propel Boro back into the Premier League. But will he really set the Championship on fire?
ComeOnBoro.com's Elle Brunton reports.
Middlesbrough Chief Executive Keith Lamb introduced Boyd to the assembled media, saying: "Kris has joined us on a two year deal, we are delighted to have him here."
When asked his motivation for joining Middlesbrough, against a whole host of clubs including Premier League suitors who were pursuing him, Boyd is very clear - the manager and the chance at a whole new challenge were the major factors.
Boyd: [Strachan] was a big impact on my decision. I look forward to the next two years and getting back into the Premiership.
"The most important thing is playing football, to come in do well and score goals.
"I felt I needed to leave Scotland, I felt I had done what I needed to do there. I'm ready for a new challenge in life.
"I just want to be ready for the season ahead."
Lamb sounded slightly put out when asked if Boyd's arrival would help boost ticket sales, saying: "We bought Kris as a player, not to sell season tickets.
"If we start winning games, the fans will flood back."
And having won titles with Rangers, Boyd believes getting promoted with Middlesbrough would be even better.
"This club a has got the manager, the facilities everything is there. We'll give it a good shot this year and I'm sure we'll not be far off." Boyd said.
Having agreed with Strachan's often stated assertion that Celtic and Rangers players are 'scared to draw' Boyd admitted the philosophy of the Championship will also be a new experience for him.
"If you get a draw on the road [in the Championship] it is not a bad result. It is a different challenge, but I'm looking forward to it."
And he is more than prepared to help instil Strachan's 'Old Firm' mentality in the few players at Boro who have not experienced Scottish football.
"I'm here to help the dressingroom." he said.
While Boyd is looking at his two year contract in its entirety, Lamb and Strachan both admit that Boro really need to get themselves promoted next season.
"Well there's no time better than now! We want to be back in the Premier League, we want to be back there as soon as we possibly can." said Lamb.
Strachan agreed, saying: "It took seven months really to get Kris here, with Rangers permission we spoke to him in January. Kris wanted to finish his contract and win the title.
"He's given fantastic service to Rangers and now he's here.
"We do need goalscorers.
"He's one of the best in Europe, thats a fact if you give him chances he'll score goals, obviously we have to give him the chances.
"Hopefully it will be one season in the Championship and the rest in the Premier League."
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 7/7/2010
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