Medals detector

Sep 21 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

YOU climb off the bench to rescue Rangers and win the cup on your own.

Score a stunning double before firing home the crucial penalty in a shoot-out.

It's what dreams are made of. Fairytale stuff. One to tell the grandkids about.

Some players could retire happy after the day Kris Boyd enjoyed at Hampden in last season's CIS Cup Final.

But not him. His incredible performance on March 16 against Dundee United only served one purpose - it made the striker even hungrier to get his hands on more silverware.

That's why when he went back to the same venue for the Scottish Cup Final and bagged yet another winning goal to sink Queen of the South it felt even sweeter.

Boyd doesn't like dwelling on the past. Despite his lack of action in big European and Old Firm games last season he still hit the net 25 times.

He collected the first two medals of his career and enjoyed two days of glory he'll never forget.

But now? All the 25-year-old is thinking about is going back and doing it all over again.

He will lead the line for Walter Smith's side against Partick Thistle on Wednesday night knowing it's the first stop on the journey to a potential treble.

After crashing out of Europe to Kaunas, domestic success is a must. That's why Boyd can't wait to get the ball rolling at Firhill.

As he reluctantly reflected on last term's Hampden heroics he admitted it's only after you have lifted a trophy for Rangers that you realise how special it is.

Kris said: "All I wanted was to get on the park that day because I hadn't been playing as much as I would have liked.

"Thankfully I came on and the two goals were a major bonus. The main thing was getting my first medal as a pro - that was special.

"It's right up there with the best days in my life. Any cup final is a great moment and I was lucky enough to go back to Hampden later in the season and do it again in the Scottish Cup Final.

"They're the biggest occasions in the season so to play such a huge part was phenomenal.

"Once I got the two goals in the CIS final and big Lee Wilkie missed his penalty in the shoot-out I just got a feeling itwas meant to be my day.

"When I look back on my career after I stop playing it will be a massive memory. But it's only givenmethe hunger to do it again and win more medals this season.

"It's a unique feeling lifting a trophy and celebrating with the fans afterwards. I had dreamed about it for years but only once you have actually done it do you appreciate how special it is.

"It definitely makes you want to go back for more."

Boyd has endured a difficult 12 months at Ibrox and plenty of Gers punters expected him to move on in the summer.

Despite his incredible goals record he's rarely been a first pick for Walter Smith and Cardiff City had a bid knocked back for the striker in pre-season.

But Boyd has never wanted to leave his boyhood heroes and revealed the thought of going to a clubwhoaren't vying for trophies couldn't be further from his mind.

Kris said: "We had our ups and downs last season although even for me it was mostly ups. I didn't play as much as I would have liked but it was a steep learning curve.

"Hopefully this season I can play and really stamp my authority on this team.

"It's always in the back of your mind that maybe you'd be better leaving. But you never want to leave a club like this with the history and tradition it has.

"When clubs were interested I did think 'What are my chances of actually winning things there?' "I've always said I wanted to get my head down and do well for Rangers. I think I've turned the corner now and if I keep playing I'msure I can produce the goods.

"When I look back on last term I won't think 'I didn't play in this game or that one'. I'll think about how I could have won four trophies.

"We got to a UEFA Cup Final and took the league to the last day - that's how close I was to being part of probably the greatest season in our history.

"It wasn't to be and that's why we must win the league this time.

"The Co-Op Cup is the first leg of a potential treble for us and we have a strong enough squad to do well in all domestic competitions."