Rangers manager Walter Smith admits he tried everything in his power to keep Kris Boyd at Ibrox.
Gers boss disappointed to lose striker to Boro
Rangers manager Walter Smith admits he tried everything in his power to keep Kris Boyd at Ibrox.
The 26-year-old frontman has agreed a switch to Championship club Middlesbrough, where he will link up with Gordon Strachan.
Boyd is expected to complete his move south of the border on Monday, after months of speculation regarding his future.
Gers boss Smith admits the cash-strapped Glasgow outfit offered Boyd more money than any other player to stay, but it was not enough to keep hold of him.
Smith told the
Daily Record: "We did all we could to keep him. I think there were two things from his point of view - the money and a new challenge.
"We appreciate why he has decided to go and wish him well. I hope he does well down at Middlesbrough.
"From our point of view, we made him an offer that was as much as we could go to for any player that we were hoping to keep at the club or bring to the club.
"We are disappointed he has gone. But with the club's situation at the moment we have to accept that."
Boyd had an excellent scoring record during his time with Rangers and hit 165 goals during a four-and-a-half-year spell with his boyhood club.
Smith admits losing the potent forward is a major blow, but has laid down a challenge to the other members of his squad to step up to the mark.
He added: "Anybody who scores that amount of goals will be missed but it means everyone else will have to work harder to make it up."
