Rangers hero Kris Boyd spotted at Hampden for launch of World Scotch Pie Championships
KRIS BOYD scored almost 300 goals in his football career - 41 of which were penalties.
And the former Rangers and Kilmarnock star got involved in a shootout in a twist this week - as the referee for a PIE-nalty shootout.
The ex-Scotland striker was at Hampden to celebrate the launch of the annual World Scotch Pie Championships as the event marks its 25th anniversary this year.
Boyd ditched the usual football jersey and shooting boots for a referee's top and a whistle as he adjudicated on a number of challenges between bakers and butchers who are entering the competition.
This year’s event coincides with Scottish Bakers’ new Pieoneers campaign, which pays tribute to the passion, skill, and dedication of bakers, butchers, and pie makers across the UK and beyond.
Talking of Boyd's near three centuries of goals, his most famous celebration came when he gestured about a so-called big belly to Aberdeen fans, in reference to the 'who ate all the pies' chant.
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As the bakers and butchers at Hampden took part in a Scotch pie hurl, a Tug'o-pies and a pie-nalty shootout, Boyd paid tribute to their day jobs.
He said: "This is a big shout to all the bakers, butchers, and pie makers out there to get your entries in for this year’s World Scotch Pie Championship Awards.
"What you do takes dedication, passion, and hard work. It’s not so different from what we aim for on the football pitch.
"Just like in football, teamwork, resilience, and striving for excellence are at the heart of what you do. I wish you all the very best of luck in the competition."
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Commenting on the 25th anniversary awards launch, Lesley Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Bakers, said: "As we celebrate 25 years of the World Championship Pie Awards, we take pride in reflecting on the incredible talent and innovation within Scotland’s baking and butchery industries.
"This year, the competition see’s the launch of our new Pieoneers campaign which celebrates the camaraderie between our Bakers, Butchers and Piemakers.
"I call on all Pieoneers to visit scotchpiewards.com to enter, and I am excited to see who this year’s winners will be.
"I would also like to thank our strategic partner, BAKO Group for their support, without our sponsors the event would not exist."
The reigning world champion is James Pirie & Son (Newtyle, Perthshire).
Numerous categories exist for competitors to enter, including best football pie, best macaroni pie, best steak pie and more.
Judges also consider entries for best hot savoury, best vegan savoury, best sausage roll, best bridie and best haggis savoury.
Even desserts are rewarded, with a category for apple pies.
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Entries open TODAY, January 29, with a closing date of March 3.
The awards do is on May 10 at the Hilton in Glasgow.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page