BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd has described Rugby Park target Billy Davies as the best manager he has ever worked with.
Davies, 51, is the overwhelming favourite to take the helm of the Premiership strugglers following Gary Locke’s departure last weekend.
Boyd is well versed on the qualities of the former Derby, Preston and Motherwell boss, having played under him during a two-month loan spell at Nottingham Forest during the 2010/11 campaign.
The Scotland internationalist bagged six goals in 12 games for the Championship and arguably looked as potent as he ever did during his time in England.
And while loathe to predict who will land the top job, Boyd has nothing but praise for the colourful Scotsman.
The 32-year-old said: “I wouldn’t hide the fact that he has been the best manager I have worked with and everything he did was positive.
“But it is up to Billy Davies – or anyone else – to speak about the subject. However, my personal experience was 100 per cent positive five years ago.
“What I will say, is the manager is getting a good bunch of lads who will work hard. If we are all being honest, the club needs a bit of experience to get us out of that.
“I think [caretaker boss] Lee McCulloch – and I’m good friends with him – would be the first to admit that. We are in a dog-fight at the bottom of the table.”
With a crunch Scottish Cup clash against Rangers to come on Saturday, Boyd knows that fragile Killie have no time to lick their wounds following a week of upheaval at Rugby Park.
He continued: “Gary brought he majority of people to the club and there is a disappointment when you use your manager, but we are in no position to dwell on it.
“We need to look forward and get positive results. That started with training on Monday, we need to all be in this together.
“That’s the only way we will get out of this, through working hard and sticking together, including the fans and everybody connected with the club.”
Tempo
Caretaker duo Lee McCulloch and Peter Leven have been charged with masterminding the downfall of Rangers this week, and Boyd has heaped praise on the way the have dealt with the situation.
And the experience front-man is hopeful a positive week on the training ground is reflected at Ibrox, as Killie seek to thrive away from the pressure of a battle for Premiership survival.
He told BBC Scotland: “We are training properly and doing things properly, Lee [McCulloch] and Peter [Leven] have made sure of that. There has been a good tempo to training over the last couple of days and hopefully we are able to take that into the game on Saturday.
“It’s a cup tie on Saturday and we are able to switch off in terms of our league position.
“And, especially when you come up against the Old Firm, all the focus is on Rangers or Celtic.”
