Boyd Seeks Gers Return

Click here or read below for my article on Kris Boyd and his proposed move to Rangers in the January transfer window. It was published on The Away End.

Krismas Comes Early For Boro Fans As Mowbray Punts Flop

Just over a week ago it was revealed that Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray had informed striker Kris Boyd, that his services were no longer required, as the Teesside club aimed to reduce their wage bill. Now, it has been sensationally revealed that Boyd may be seeking a return to former side, Rangers.

Boyd: During happier times at Ibrox

Pre-season promotion favourites Middlesbrough, currently sit second bottom of the English Championship after a staggering eleven losses and just five wins after nineteen games. Gordon Strachan, who resigned after just under one year in charge, was replaced by Boro legend, Mowbray in October and he now seeks to dispose of surplus players which disturb the 'balance' of the side.

Boyd arrived at Middlesbrough from Rangers in July this year with the aim of scoring goals, and lots of them. However, Boyd has struggled to find his finest form and has scored a measly five in nineteen appearances. After chatting with Mowbray, the 27-year-old has reportedly informed his agent to speak to Rangers to try and negotiate a way back into Glasgow.

Rangers of course are still in financial turmoil and currently in talks with a potential buyer, so now is probably not the best time for the club to be signing an expensive player.

Another problem is that Rangers have moved on as a club since Boyd's departure. He was replaced in the summer by strikers James Beattie and Nikica Jelavic and it would therefore be reasonable to suggest that the Gers cannot afford £18,000 a week of wages that were offered to Boyd before he left for England.

Moreover, there seems to be a fairly muted response from Rangers fans around Scotland with the news of Boyd seeking a move back 'home'. After all, some fans feel betrayed that he left for a club they regard as smaller than Rangers and believed it was a money-motivated move.

However, this is not the main root of concern from Rangers fans. In Boyd's last thirteen appearances for Rangers, he only scored four goals, of which two came from the penalty spot. Add this to Boyd's recent Middlesbrough record, Rangers do not need an expensive out-of-form striker on their books.

The other problem holding back a Boyd move to Glasgow is that Rangers do not appear to need the SPL top goal-scorer of all time. The Gers sit top of the SPL, two points clear of bitter rivals Celtic, with a game in hand. They are still in Europe and both of the Scottish cups. This is largely thanks to Kenny Miller, who has looked a totally different player since Boyd left and has scored eighteen goals in the SPL so far, which is seven more than any other player. The importance of Miller is obvious, because Rangers have not had the help of Beattie and Jelavic to boost the 'goals for' column as they have been injured for a large part of the season. Beattie is almost back to full fitness and Jelavic is hoping to be back in the next month so it seems that Boyd is not wanted, nor needed at Ibrox any more.

Miller has been on top form since Boyd left Rangers

So, if Rangers are happy with what they have, where next for Boyd? His perceived laziness on the pitch certainly lowers his chances of finding a top club, but to have scored more goals than Henrik Larsson in the SPL by the age of twenty seven is a fine achievement and should appeal to many managers in the Championship, or even at a higher level. People may scorn at the idea of Boyd in the English Premier League, but it has been argued by many that if you give Boyd enough chances at any level, he will stick the majority of them away.