Kris Boyd believes the traditional No.9 role is disappearing from modern football, but he is delighted to see Derek McInnes bucking the trend by playing two strikers at Rangers. The former Ibrox poacher is impressed with the partnership between Kevin Kelsy and Ryan Naderi, who have helped drag the Light Blues into title contention.
Strike duo stepping up
Rangers lost big-money striker Youssef Chermiti to a long-term injury, while captain Lawrence Shankland is also in the middle of a lengthy lay-off. In their absence, Kelsy has hit the ground running following his £9m move from the MLS, and Naderi has gone from bit-part player to main man.
Naderi scored from the spot in Saturday's 2-0 win against St Mirren, taking his tally to nine for the season after looking set to be third or fourth choice this term. Kelsy has bagged five goals in 10 appearances, and the pair have played key roles in Rangers' recent run of results.
Shankland faces a fight
Boyd, speaking as William Hill announced a major sponsorship of Walking Football Scotland, said Shankland will have a battle on his hands when he returns early in the New Year. He said: "There's no doubt Chermiti was going to be the one at the top end of the pitch and maybe Shankland behind him. Kelsy has come in and he and Naderi have struck up a partnership. Shankland will be back before Chermiti. He is different to the other two and I still think he's the best finisher at the club. But he will have a fight on his hands getting back in the team. It's a good problem for Rangers to have."
Boyd praised the defensive solidity McInnes has instilled, noting the team can now win games 1-0 instead of needing to score three or four. He added: "When you look at Rangers' run of results since the victory at Aberdeen, it's been very good and those two have been a part of that. So have Djeidi Gassama, Minsu Kim and Badredine Bouanani. You'd be looking for the numbers from the wider players to be higher. But, at the same time, Minsu Kim has yet to lose a game with Rangers – so he must be doing something right."
The death of the No.9
Boyd is thrilled McInnes shares his passion for playing two up top, even if it has gone out of fashion elsewhere. He said: "I played that way all my career but football has changed. Derek has always wanted to have two strikers though. Even when they were struggling at Kilmarnock he'd go two up top with wingers. He asked a lot of his midfielders but that's more refreshing."
He added: "When you look all around the world, there is a death of the no.9, because a lot of managers, clubs, and academies are playing with one up front. Growing up there were players with an obsession to score goals, but you might be halving your potential chances right now. It's something clubs might need to look at. Do you really see strikers who are obsessed with scoring goals any more?"
Boyd was speaking at the announcement of William Hill as Official Sponsor and Proper Supporter of Walking Football Scotland.
