Exclusive: Liam Boyce assesses Gary Mackay-Steven’s Ross County return.

The former Staggies striker was at Hearts with the winger, who is expected to continue his outstanding form in the Championship with County.

Liam Boyce believes Gary Mackay-Steven’s ingenuity may propel Ross County back to the top flight. The former Staggies striker, who scored 55 goals in 115 games from 2014 to 2017, is now at League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City.

 

He left Premiership Hearts in January, but he still keeps an eye on his former clubs, notably County, who were relegated by Livingston in the playoff final. County have recruited winger Mackay-Steven after he left Kilmarnock, as well as defender Declan Gallagher and midfielder Ross Docherty, who were key players for Dundee United in the Premiership last season.

They’ve also signed former Sunderland defender Ben Crompton, Morton midfielder Arron Lyall, and former Motherwell and Harrogate midfielder Dean Cornelius.

Mackay-Steven, 34, was born in Thurso and has previously played for Celtic, Aberdeen, New York City, and Dundee United. He was a County kid before moving to Liverpool as a teenager.

Mackay-Steven spent three years at Tynecastle with Boyce after moving from New York, and he was a member of the Jambos team that won the second-tier title just four years ago.

Mackay-Steven ‘has tricks up his sleeve’ to unlock rivals’ defences

Boyce, an ex-Northern Ireland international, believes that County manager Don Cowie made a wise decision in signing Mackay-Steven. He told The Press and Journal:

“Gaz and I were part of a group at Hearts that spent a lot of time together. He’s a fantastic gentleman and a pleasure to have in the changing room. “He’s a friend of mine outside of football as well. “Gaz is a professional, gets along with everyone, and is clearly a top-tier player. “He hasn’t been playing as much as he would want, and I’m sure that’s been a great motivator for him to return to County; maybe, he’ll get his opportunity.

“He’s back where it all began, and he’ll be fantastic in the Championship.” He won the Championship with us at Hearts, so he understands what it takes to be a champion.

“Hearts were expected to win it, so they signed players to do so, and Gaz will be in the same situation, which will benefit Ross County.

“Everyone just wants to see him play football every week so he can get back to what he does best. “Gaz is one of the guys that people like to see.

“When I was his teammate, I used to like watching him play up close. He enjoys getting the ball and has several tricks up his sleeve for getting past players. “He has the skills to change games.”

Momentum is goal for Championship winners – Ross County had it in 2012

And Boyce believes that centre-half Gallagher fits into the same category, as a top-level player with Championship experience. He said: “I know big Declan as well, and he knows what it’s like to get back up with Dundee United, so they’re looking for guys that have won that division before. “They’ll understand what they’ll be going through during the season. I’m confident they’ll share their wisdom with the other boys on the squad. “When we moved up from the Championship at Hearts, maybe 90% of the squad was still in the Premiership, and we finished third, so if you can develop a winning habit, it can benefit the club.

“Before I ever joined Ross County, when they first entered the Premiership (in 2012), they did so on the back of a long unbeaten run, which continued when they were promoted (making it 40 league games unbeaten overall).

“The momentum can restore the feel-good factor. It’s nice to win a title, and you hope to continue that form in the Premiership.

“When you have momentum in football, you believe no one can stop you. You always approach games with confidence. If you win the league, you’ve proven you’re a good team.”

‘The biggest turning point of my career was with Ross County’

Boyce, who has 28 caps for his country, left part-time club Cliftonville for full-time Werder Bremen in Germany 15 years ago, but it did not work out. However, he was on the radar of County administration at the time, which resulted in a golden chance that worked well for all sides over the course of three years. He continued, “Some of my finest recollections were at Ross County.

“I came back from Germany when I was younger, and I didn’t think I’d get another chance.

“Thankfully, Derek Adams and his father (George, the director of football at the time) took me over, and it was unbelievable.

“I was given time to become fit. After being sent home after working full-time, I was doubting myself, but they were fantastic with me. “When I was at Hearts, I always looked forward to playing Ross County in Dingwall.

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