Smith backs Boyd to get Gers goals

AFP - 12 August 2007 04:09

Scotland´s Kris Boyd reacts during their UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match against Georgia at Hampden Stadium, in Glasgow, Scotland, in March. Misfiring Rangers striker Kris Boyd´s goal drought continued against St Mirren on Saturday but manager Walter Smith is confident he will rediscover his shooting boots.

GLASGOW (AFP) - Misfiring Rangers striker Kris Boyd's goal drought continued against St Mirren on Saturday but manager Walter Smith is confident he will rediscover his shooting boots.

The Scottish international again drew a blank as the Ibrox side won 2-0 in the Scottish Premier League at Ibrox.

Although Boyd was Scotland's top scorer in the previous two years, he is yet to find the net after four games of the new season.

And with Rangers' second goal on Saturday being scored by Gabon international striker Daniel Cousin - making his debut after signing from Lens on Thursday for over one million pounds - Boyd is under pressure to find his killer instinct in front of goal.

However, Smith has backed the striker to come through his lean spell and promised him plenty of chances to do so.

The Rangers boss said: "Kris Boyd has scored a great number of goals for us over the last few seasons but is going through one of those spells that every striker goes through.

"The goals are not coming for him at the moment but they will come for him and there will be plenty of opportunities for him to get them in the coming weeks."

Rangers now have plenty of options in forward positions - with French forward Jean-Claude Darcheville, Spaniard Nacho Novo and Lee McCulloch also being able to play in the striking positions - but it is in defence that the Ibrox team seem strongest, having yet to concede a goal this season.

Smith admits he is delighted with the way his side are guarding their goal - especially Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar.

He said: "Carlos has played extremely well for us and I think everyone has been quite surprised how easily he has settled in.

"He is doing really well with David Weir and it is not easy in any circumstances to come into a new club. The fact he doesn't speak any English yet makes it harder so it's very pleasing.

"But it's not all about our defence and I think the whole team is strong and showing a good approach to the defensive side of the game.

"When you get that right it gives you a platform to build on."

While there was a place on the Rangers substitutes' bench for Cousin, fellow new signing Steven Whittaker was not included.

Smith admitted both were still short of match fitness but was delighted with Cousin's immediate impact.

He said: "Daniel and Steven are both well short of match practice but it is easier for a forward to come on and show what he can do than a defender.

"It was very pleasing for Daniel to get on and thankfully he got us a goal.

"But we're pleased with the effort that everyone is putting in."

Rangers had struggled in the first half of Saturday's match, as St Mirren matched them and created the better scoring opportunities.

However, in the 52nd minute the home side opened the scoring through Barry Ferguson - scoring his third goal in two SPL games.

Alan Hutton's cross was chested down by Lee McCulloch into the path of the Rangers captain, who tucked the ball past St Mirren goalkeeper Chris Smith.

And in the 80th minute they doubled their advantage.

American winger DaMarcus Beasley carried the ball to the edge of the penalty area and then unselfishly slid it through to Cousin, who had replaced Boyd in the 67th minute, and he fired it low past the keeper from six-yards.