Ross County forward Liam Boyce is targeting a haul of 30 goals this season to help secure his place in Northern Ireland’s squad for this summer’s European championship finals in France.
Boyce handed County a huge lift this week by penning a one-year contract extension, which keeps him at Victoria Park until 2018.
The 24-year-old has already shot to the top of the Staggies’ scoring charts with 17 goals this term, having netted 11 in his debut season in Scotland following his move from Cliftonville in 2014.
His form has taken him on to the fringes of Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland squad for their first European championship finals this year.
Six-times capped Boyce, who has recently returned from a month-long absence with a broken hand, is determined to ensure he is on the plane to France by continuing to find the net for Jim McIntyre’s side.
He said: “I always say I try to get 10s. I’m past 10 goals now, so I’ll try and get to 20 as quickly as possible and then I can aim for 30 before the end of the season.
“The Euros is a big carrot at the end of the season for me to get picked. I need to keep playing well and try and get back in the goals.
“Hopefully, if I can get one soon they’ll all come together for me. I hope I can put another run together and get in the squad.
“If I score 30 goals I’ll be in a very strong position but there are other boys scoring goals in Scotland like Josh Magennis and Billy Mckay.
“I just need to try and keep playing well and scoring goals.”
Boyce says the decision to commit his long-term future to the Dingwall club was an easy one given his success since stepping up from part-time football.
He added: “When I came here no one even knew who I was, but when the manager came in I started getting my chance and I started getting goals.
“That sort of put me on the map.
“I wanted to show my loyalty to the manager, the chairman and the club.
“I love playing here. The way we play suits me with two up front and I have good attacking partners.
“It’s good to be here. I like the manager and he seems to like me, so there’s a good future.”
County manager McIntyre was thrilled to secure Boyce’s long-term future, adding: “It has been ongoing for a number of weeks and I’m glad to finally get it over the line.
“Liam recognises he is settled here. He deserves to be rewarded for what he has done this season and it gives Liam that bit of security as well.”