Boyd on target in Timbers´ win

Scotland striker Kris Boyd marked his Portland Timbers debut with a goal as the MLS side defeated AIK 1-0 in a pre-season friendly.

Playing for the Timbers for the first time since signing as a designated player in January, Boyd scored in just the seventh minute to give his side victory over the Swedish outfit.

The 28-year-old is the Scottish Premier League’s all-time leading goal-scorer, with 164 goals from 296 games.

Boyd said afterwards: “It doesn’t matter who you’re playing for, who you’ve played for, it doesn’t matter if you’re the best player in the world, make your debut for any club and there’s always butterflies, you’re always a bit nervous at first, but I think getting a goal so early it settled us down. I enjoyed the meet.”

Boyd has been the SPL’s top scorer in four separate seasons, but is down on match fitness having not played a competitive game since the middle of last year.

But Timbers coach John Spencer believes it’s only a matter of time before their star signing starts to make his presence felt on the pitch.

“He’s going to be that guy who’s the fox in the box that if you get the ball in there, he’s going to get onto it nine times out of 10 and if you’re switched off for a moment he’s going to punish you,” Spencer said of Boyd.

“It’s always good when you make a move to a new team, because the longer you go without hitting the back of the net, people start to grumble and moan, now for him that just gives him a great injection of confidence.”

The Timbers begin their MLS campaign on Monday at home to Philadelphia.