NafisaRangers fans have hit back at Kris Boyd after the former Ibrox striker sparked an angry reaction with his assessment of a goal involving Ryan Naderi and Kevin Kelsy, describing the play as “not clean” during his analysis.
The Sky Sports pundit’s remarks have left sections of the Rangers support baffled, with supporters questioning why he appeared to downplay a promising attacking combination from two forwards who have been showing encouraging signs of developing a partnership under Derek McInnes.
The controversy gathered momentum on Wednesday evening as Boyd’s comments circulated online, prompting furious responses from fans who believed the Rangers duo deserved praise rather than criticism.
One supporter summed up the frustration in a post that quickly attracted agreement: “Is it just me, or is Kris Boyd constantly talking down Naderi and Kelsy? I swear he’s just described them for our goal as ‘not clean’ play. Fucks he on about?”
Others were equally unimpressed, describing the assessment as “bizarre” and “stupid” while insisting that the quality of the combination between Naderi and Kelsy was obvious.
Rangers Fans Question Boyd’s Verdict
Much of the anger centred on the sequence of passes between the two forwards, with supporters arguing that their movement and execution deserved recognition.
One fan insisted Naderi “couldn’t have done any better there,” while another described the one-two between the pair as “immaculate.”
A third supporter offered a more measured assessment of the wider move but remained adamant that the decisive combination was executed to a high standard.
“Kelsy pass to Naderi & the return is as clean as you like, then the touch & finish is class.”
Others were quick to call for him head on a spike after getting visible enraged by his comments:
“Sack him on the spot. How can Sky keep paying this guy to slag off our players every week? Absolute joke of a pundit.”
“Fire him tonight. ‘Not clean’ play? The one-two was class. Boyd’s been talking down our team for years, time Sky finally pulled the plug.”
“How is this clown still employed?
That was the central argument from those defending the Rangers attackers. Even if every element of the build-up was not perfect, they felt the exchange between the two players was precise, effective and deserving of credit.
For those supporters, Boyd’s description failed to reflect what they believed they had witnessed on the pitch. Rather than focusing on the quality of the link-up, they felt the phrase “not clean” unfairly overshadowed an encouraging attacking moment.
The reaction also highlights how closely Rangers supporters are scrutinising the performances of their forwards as McInnes looks to establish greater consistency in the final third.
Naderi And Kelsy Give McInnes Encouraging Signs
The timing of the controversy has added to the frustration, with Naderi and Kelsy beginning to show signs of a productive partnership.
The pair linked up effectively during Rangers’ 4-0 victory over St Johnstone, with both players finding the net. Their performances have offered encouragement that Rangers could have a more dangerous attacking combination as the campaign progresses.
For supporters, the growing understanding between the forwards is precisely why they believe the pair should be receiving greater recognition.
Their argument is straightforward: when two attackers are scoring goals, combining effectively and creating problems for opposing defences, their positive contributions should not be overlooked.
That does not mean every performance or attacking move must be beyond criticism. However, the response to Boyd’s comments suggests that some fans believe his assessment did not give sufficient weight to the quality of the particular move under discussion.
The pair’s ability to combine quickly and create opportunities is an important part of the discussion, particularly as Rangers seek to build momentum under McInnes.
Supporters Claim It Is Becoming A Pattern
The reaction has also revived wider complaints among sections of the Rangers support about Boyd’s punditry.
One supporter accused the former striker of trying too hard to appear clever and detached, arguing that his analysis sometimes came across as excessively negative towards Rangers players.
The fan said Boyd “tries too hard to be smart and unenthusiastic to stand out and just comes across as an idiot,” before adding that although he criticises teams generally, he seems “overly critical of our players.”
Such comments reflect the frustration of supporters who expect a former Rangers player to recognise the positives when the current team produces encouraging performances.
Boyd’s analysis has reportedly included acknowledgement of the problems Naderi and Kelsy can cause opponents, including Celtic. Nevertheless, his “not clean” remark has become the main talking point among those who believe the partnership is beginning to deliver.
The distinction matters because criticism of a particular move is not necessarily the same as dismissing a player’s overall contribution. But once a pundit’s choice of words strikes a nerve with supporters, the wider context can quickly become secondary.
For the angry section of the Rangers fanbase, this latest incident has reinforced their belief that the two forwards are not receiving enough credit for their work.
Boyd’s Comments Ignite Another Rangers Debate
As a former Rangers striker, Boyd brings his own experience of playing at Ibrox to his television analysis. His role, however, also means assessing performances honestly, including moments that supporters may view more positively.
That tension is familiar in Scottish football, where former players working as pundits often face scrutiny from the very fanbases they once represented.
In this case, the criticism has centred on a specific phrase rather than a dispute over the importance of analysis itself. Rangers supporters who objected to Boyd’s assessment believe the combination between Naderi and Kelsy was technically sound and that the goal deserved to be discussed in more positive terms.
Whether Boyd intended his words as a broader criticism of the move or was referring to a particular element of the build-up, the reaction has been unmistakable.
For now, the debate has placed the spotlight back on Naderi and Kelsy’s developing partnership, with supporters eager to see the forwards continue producing goals and effective link-up play for McInnes.
Their performances on the pitch will ultimately matter more than the argument surrounding one pundit’s description. But Boyd’s “not clean” verdict has clearly struck a nerve among Rangers fans who believe their attacking duo deserve credit for what they are delivering.
Nafisa
