Rangers boss Smith hails record breaker Boyd

Rangers manager Walter Smith paid tribute to Kris Boyd after the striker smashed Henrik Larsson's record to become the most prolific goalscorer in the Scottish Premier League.

The 26-year-old hitman stole the show with five goals as the Scottish champions ran riot to notch up a 7-1 win over Dundee United at Ibrox on Wednesday night.

Not content to equal the Celtic legend's tally of 158 goals, Boyd's superb solo show against United took his own tally to 160 SPL goals and 18 for the season.

Damien Casalinuovo pulled a goal back for the dejected Tangerines and Steven Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra were also on the scoresheet.

But the night belonged to Boyd and Smith was keen to heap on the praise.

"I thought he played exceptionally well," he said.

"He's always managed to get goals and his performance was excep-tionally good with some great finishes. I'm pleased for him.

"To break Henrik Larsson's record in the manner he did was fantastic. The manner in which he scored the goals sums him up.

"Few can score the goals he does and he has improved a lot this season. He has accepted he has to do a bit more this season and it's not affected his goals."

The only sour point of the evening was Kenny Miller's straight red card for violent conduct following a clash with Darren Dods.

As it stands, the dismissal would rule him out of Sunday's Old Firm clash but Smith confirmed Rangers plan to appeal to the Scottish Football Association after watching replays of the incident.

Boyd, who also netted five against Dundee United as a Kilmarnock player, said: "I was delighted to get past Henrik Larsson and also delighted to get the three points.

"The result maybe flattered us but there is a team you always score against and United is mine. It's great to get the record but I'm greedy for more goals."