Kris Boyd can earn more Scotland caps, says St Mirren defender

Darren McGregor has backed Kris Boyd to resurrect his Scotland cap career but is relishing the chance to do battle with the on-form Kilmarnock striker.

"I think Kris is good enough to become a Scotland regular again," said defender McGregor, whose St Mirren side travel to Rugby Park on Thursday.

"You judge a striker on his ability to put the ball in the back of the net and his record speaks for itself.

"It will be interesting - a battle that I'm eager to get involved in."

Boyd, already the record scorer in the old Scottish Premier League, has scored 11 goals this season and last month surpassed Henrik Larsson's tally for finding the net in the Scottish top flight of whatever moniker.

He was recalled to the Scotland squad after a gap of three years for the November friendly with Norway, but manager Gordon Strachan left the 18-times capped 30-year-old on the bench as his side ended 2013 with a 1-0 victory.

"He's so dangerous and is on top form right now," said McGregor. "He deserved his call up for the Norway game and will probably feel disappointed not to have been given a run out.

"But he can definitely be an asset for us if Gordon Strachan decides to use him from the start."

Boyd was sent off the last time the sides met in August after lashing out at Buddies captain Jim Goodwin.

McGregor will be marking Boyd for the first time on Thursday

McGregor played at right-back that day but will be positioned at the heart of Danny Lennon's defence this time and cannot wait to get to grips with the former Rangers and Middlesbrough striker.

"I've not actually played up against him before," said the former Cowdenbeath man.

"The last time we played Killie a few months ago, I was at right-back, but I'm looking forward to pitting my wits against him this time.

"He's a goalscorer and probably one of the all-time greats of the SPL.

"It will be good to test myself against him. I won't be able to give him a minute's peace.

"If you switch off, he looks for that and punishes you.

"You could play well for 89 minutes and he will score from your one mistake."