Kilmarnock’s Kris Boyd included on PFA Scotland player of the year shortlist

Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd has been named on the PFA Scotland player of the year shortlist – six months after going to meet manager Steve Clarke to tell him he was retiring.

The 34-year-old left the meeting rejuvenated and is on a four-man shortlist along with Hibernian midfielder John McGinn and Celtic pair James Forrest and Scott Brown.

The former Scotland striker epitomises the transformation of Kilmarnock since Clarke took over in mid-October with the Ayrshire club bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Boyd has scored 21 goals this season and Killie are in fifth place, having only lost to Aberdeen and Hibs since Clarke’s arrival.

The former Rangers player said: “The longer the start went on, the more I fell out of love with the game. By the time the manager came in, I had had enough.

“If it wasn’t for the manager, I wouldn’t still be playing football. I was two minutes from quitting.

“But he threw down a challenge I was willing to accept and I have hopefully repaid him.

“I went into the office and thought that was it. I was finished, I had my mind made up.

“I felt as if I had my time, it was time for me to move on and let the manager get his own players in. I thought it was the right thing to do because I was part of a side that was struggling.

“You see the emergence of Eamonn Brophy and Lee Erwin and the gaffer said I could help with their development.”

Clarke also revived Boyd by telling him he could concentrate on his strengths of getting into the penalty box and taking chances.

The striker added: “I’m not really one for quitting. I was getting a bit of stick and the easiest thing would be to walk away, but in life I don’t think anyone gives you anything for nothing.

“When I was driving home I decided I’m going to go back and give it a go.

“Could I imagine I would be sitting here today? No, but it’s down to my team-mates to find me in positions to score goals and I sit here representing them, because Kilmarnock as a whole since October has totally changed.

“It’s been fantastic and it’s down to the arrival of the gaffer and (assistant) Alex Dyer.”

Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna, Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, St Mirren winger Lewis Morgan and Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney are the four players in the running for the young player of the year award.

The winners, who are chosen by their fellow professionals, will be revealed at a dinner in Glasgow on Sunday.