John Robertson backing Liam Boyce to end 30-year wait for Hearts striker to hit landmark goals return

Robbo’s haul from season 1991/92 hasn’t been beaten since, but Boyce is now on 16 after his goal at Tannadice and has four league games plus the Scottish Cup final still to play. Robertson hopes Boyce can beat it.

Kyle Lafferty came closest to hitting the 20-goal mark in 2017/18, but there hasn’t been a striker as prolific as Robbo down Gorgie way in three decades.

Boyce topped the top flight scoring charts with 24 goals at Ross County five years ago and Robertson, the club's all-time leading goalscorer with 271 over two spells, has revealed he is a big admirer.

The Hearts legend said: “Good luck to Liam Boyce this weekend and for the remaining five games of the season. He notched goal number 16 for the season v Dundee United and has the opportunity to become the first Hearts player since myself to score 20 goals in a season.

“I’ve said before I don’t mind all my records being broken as it will mean Hearts would be very successful indeed and this is one record I want to let go of as soon as possible.”

Robbo added on Instargam: “I am a huge admirer of Liam. I think he is a very clever player – the way he links up play and creates so much space for his fellow forwards and has linked up very well with the impressive Ellis Sims. He drags defenders all over the pitch and can still finish when given the opportunity.“He is unselfish and a real team player and I will be delighted to shake his hand and congratulate him personally when he has number 20 this season, especially if it’s at Hampden on May 21 and is the winner in the cup final. Good luck Liam and once this one achieved I have one or two more goal challenges for you to beat.”

Boyce admitted to the Belfast telegraph last week: “I should probably have done it already