Boyd is irreplaceable, says Naismith

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GLASGOW, Feb 18, 2010 (AFP) - Steven Naismith says fellow Rangers striker Kris Boyd is irreplaceable after he netted the only goal in a 1-0 win over St Mirren in their Scottish Cup fifth round replay at Ibrox on Wednesday.

An evenly matched contest looked destined to be heading for extra-time before Scotland's top-scorer popped up four minutes before the end to score his 22nd of the season to set up a quarter-final clash with Dundee United.

The striker only returned from a four-week layoff following a hernia operation at the turn of the year as a substitute in the first match between the sides ten days ago.

Boyd then netted a vital equaliser in the Old Firm side's clash with Motherwell before adding to his tally with a penalty against Hibernian.

His goal against St Mirren has handed Rangers a home quarter-final clash against Dundee United and keeps the Old Firm side on course for a domestic treble.

And Naismith, who partnered Boyd at Kilmarnock before following the forward to Ibrox, says the striker's contribution to the cause is invaluable.

"He (Boyd) is unbelievable in the box. It is another one where he got one chance and he has put it away and that is why he's a vital player for us," Naismith said.

"If you take his goals away then we lose a massive bit of our team.

"When he was out with his hernia the boys that came in did a good job but you can't replace somebody of Boyd's quality."

Assistant manager Ally McCoist, himself a prolific marksman for the club, hailed the Scotland striker's performance.

"It was a great goal. I haven't seen it again but my initial reaction to Boyd's goal was he gets the chance by using his body really well.

"Once he got himself into that position you know there is a better chance than not that he will finish it.

"Kris is always capable of scoring a goal but you always have to remain confident you are going to get a goal from somewhere.

"It goes without saying he is chipping in with more than his fair share.

"People like Boyd only need half a yard to get their shot away. Using his body to turn people and hold people off is important and I think he did it exceptionally well."

With important league fixtures coming up against St Johnstone away before hosting Celtic in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox, Rangers rested several players in their clash against St Mirren.

The Ibrox side have a full squad for almost the first time this season and McCoist said it will be important to utilise it if Rangers are to maintain their trophy challenge on three fronts.

"We had five or six changes tonight (Wednesday).

"It is important that we have a full squad to pick from because you then have one or two options you can do in terms of changing things and indeed resting boys and keeping them fresh.

"Just because you change a team it does not necessarily mean you are doing it to underestimate the opposition - far from it.

"We did change it but the boys who went out did a good job and we will now face Dundee United which was the whole object."