Ross County captain Paul Quinn hopes attacker Liam Boyce can maintain the devastating form which saw him secure a hat-trick to help the Staggies defeat Highland rivals Caley Thistle on Saturday.
Boyce’s three goals in the 3-2 win were his first strikes of the season, with the Northern Irishman reverting to his usual position up front having recently occupied a deeper role in behind the front two.
The 25-year-old finished as County’s leading scorer last season with 20 goals but narrowly missed out on a place in Northern Ireland’s squad for this summer’s European championship finals in France.
Quinn expects Saturday’s derby victory to be the first of many games this season in which Boyce’s exploits make the difference for the Staggies.
Quinn said: “Liam is unplayable when he is in that kind of form and he was a handful for them. His touch, finishing, movement and desire are amazing.
“On another day he could have had a few more goals but he deservedly went away home with the match ball, man of the match.
“When we get service to guys like Liam and keep the door closed at the back we are a very good side.
“There will be dips along the way this season but we have total faith in the manager we can have a good season.”
Quinn reckons Boyce will be pushed all the way by fellow attackers Alex Schalk, Brian Graham and Craig Curran, and feels the quartet give manager Jim McIntyre plenty food for thought.
The 31-year-old added: “Our forwards are a handful regardless of who is playing and I know that from experience of even just training against them.
“All our forwards can score a handful this season if we can get the right service into them.”