Ross County midfielder Michael Gardyne recently overtook Scott Boyd’s appearance record for the Staggies and he is eager to get another one over his former team-mate when he takes on the defender’s current club Kilmarnock today.
Boyd played 306 matches for the Staggies after joining from Partick Thistle in 2007, which was the most clocked up by a County player until Gardyne’s appearance against Aberdeen at Pittodrie last month saw him overtake the centre half, who left to join Killie on loan last August.
The 30-year-old was unable to play in his side’s 3-2 win against County at Rugby Park in January due to the terms of his loan agreement but, having made the deal permanent later in the month, he is set to face the Dingwall side for the first time since his departure this afternoon.
Gardyne expects Boyd, who will be rewarded for his service to the Staggies with a testimonial match against a Celtic legends side on March 26, will have mixed emotions about his return to Victoria Park.
The midfielder is determined to get the last laugh, however, and he said: “I’m sure he’s looking forward to it and I look forward to playing against him if I’m selected. I’ll definitely beat him in the air for a header.
“It will be strange, obviously I played with him for a number of years. It’s good for him that he’s got away and he’s signed permanently there now and available to play.
“I’m sure he’ll probably have some mixed emotions – I know I did when I first came back with Dundee United. It felt a bit strange but as a professional you just have to get on with it and deal with it. I’m sure Scott will be the same.
“He’s gone there and he’s been playing, so it’s obviously worked out for the best for him. By all accounts he’s enjoying it there.
“He’s back at his old club, and with the way Scott has been he’ll want to show he’s still got a bit. He’ll want to do well.
“I’m sure he’s looking forward to the occasion as a whole.”
Gardyne is also wary of the threat of Boyd’s namesake, Kris, who scored his 200th top-flight goal in his side’s 2-1 loss against Motherwell last weekend.
Gardyne played alongside the 33-year-old during a season on loan at Killie from Dundee United three years ago and feels the attacker is a constant danger despite his advancing years, adding: “He showed his threat again by scoring last week.
“He scored against us earlier in the season after 10 seconds. He’s just one of those guys who, even though he is coming to the end of his career, he’s always going to be in the box, scoring goals. We’ll need to be on our guard for that.”
