Caz
6th May 2007, 02:10 PM
Kris Boyd finally bagged his first ever goal against Celtic - then dedicated the strike to the man who made a career out of scoring in Old Firm derbies.
The Rangers striker, 23, celebrated his 33rd minute opener in yesterday's Bank of Scotland Premier League clash by making a bee-line for Ally McCoist in the Ibrox dug-out.
As the club's record goalscorer, McCoist broke the hearts of Celtic on many occasions but it was a new experience for Boyd, who had failed to find the back of the net against the Hoops in 15 previous attempts with both Kilmarnock and Rangers.
Boyd insists his own game has improved since McCoist's return to Ibrox in January as assistant manager to Walter Smith and he said: "He has helped me a lot since he has come to the club and it was a special moment to share to the goal with him.
"I was looking to score against Celtic and I'm delighted it has happened.
"I knew it was going to come one day. It was just a matter of getting into the right positions.
"It was up to me to keep going and going and it has finally happened."
Charlie Adam's free-kick sealed the win in a one-sided contest and Boyd insists the Scottish champions were let off lightly in the final Old Firm match of the season.
He said: "We set out to get in about them in the first 15 or 20 minutes and we did that. It could probably have been three or four.
"I thought wee Nacho Novo was unbelievable and he showed energy up and down the wing all day. He did really well.
"Alan Hutton and Barry Ferguson helped lead the team as well and it proved to be a comfortable win in the end."
The victory allowed Rangers to clinch second place in the SPL, as well as a Champions League qualifying berth for next season.
And, after two seasons barren of silverware, Boyd believes the future finally looks bright for the Ibrox club.
He added: "The only thing on our mind was to get the Champions League spot and we are delighted we have managed to do that.
"Now we are looking forward to next season - bring it on."
Gordon Strachan admitted Rangers deserved their victory and insisted responsibility for the defeat would be shared among the entire Celtic dressing room.
The Hoops boss said: "I'm not suddenly going to take the blame for everything.
"I don't take the credit for every victory so I won't take the blame for every defeat. We do it together.
"I will look at my selection and analyse that and then the players can look at their performance.
"And together we can hopefully come up with something positive."
The Rangers striker, 23, celebrated his 33rd minute opener in yesterday's Bank of Scotland Premier League clash by making a bee-line for Ally McCoist in the Ibrox dug-out.
As the club's record goalscorer, McCoist broke the hearts of Celtic on many occasions but it was a new experience for Boyd, who had failed to find the back of the net against the Hoops in 15 previous attempts with both Kilmarnock and Rangers.
Boyd insists his own game has improved since McCoist's return to Ibrox in January as assistant manager to Walter Smith and he said: "He has helped me a lot since he has come to the club and it was a special moment to share to the goal with him.
"I was looking to score against Celtic and I'm delighted it has happened.
"I knew it was going to come one day. It was just a matter of getting into the right positions.
"It was up to me to keep going and going and it has finally happened."
Charlie Adam's free-kick sealed the win in a one-sided contest and Boyd insists the Scottish champions were let off lightly in the final Old Firm match of the season.
He said: "We set out to get in about them in the first 15 or 20 minutes and we did that. It could probably have been three or four.
"I thought wee Nacho Novo was unbelievable and he showed energy up and down the wing all day. He did really well.
"Alan Hutton and Barry Ferguson helped lead the team as well and it proved to be a comfortable win in the end."
The victory allowed Rangers to clinch second place in the SPL, as well as a Champions League qualifying berth for next season.
And, after two seasons barren of silverware, Boyd believes the future finally looks bright for the Ibrox club.
He added: "The only thing on our mind was to get the Champions League spot and we are delighted we have managed to do that.
"Now we are looking forward to next season - bring it on."
Gordon Strachan admitted Rangers deserved their victory and insisted responsibility for the defeat would be shared among the entire Celtic dressing room.
The Hoops boss said: "I'm not suddenly going to take the blame for everything.
"I don't take the credit for every victory so I won't take the blame for every defeat. We do it together.
"I will look at my selection and analyse that and then the players can look at their performance.
"And together we can hopefully come up with something positive."