Boyce made to feel 'most wanted' by Derry City

Northern Ireland international Liam Boyce said a conversation with Derry City's manager Tiarnan Lynch sold him on a switch to the Brandywell.

The 33-year-old joined the League of Ireland side from Hearts in January and said it was "an easy decision" after speaking with the former Larne boss.

"Once I spoke to Tiernan, it all happened really fast," Boyce told BBC Sport NI.

"Knowing what Tiernan wants to do, it turned my head.

"I've always said through my whole career, anywhere I'm wanted, I would want to be and want to stay and Tiernan made me feel most wanted, so it was an easy decision."

Derry, who parted company with former manger Ruaidhri Higgins after finishing fourth last year, start their 2025 League of Ireland campaign away to champions Shelbourne on 14 February.

Through pre-season, Boyce, who has 28 Northern Ireland caps, says he has been impressed with Lynch's "attention to detail" and the impact it has on the culture at the Candystripes.

"You know what you have to do and it's up to you to do it," he added.

"There's no hiding place. You need to do what you're told to do and do it to the best of your ability.

"I've always wanted that. I've been in teams before when it's not quite crystal clear what you're doing and it gives people excuses if they make a mistake."

"Everyone is held to the same standards and if you don't meet that standard you won't be playing."

'People maybe don't understand the size of Derry City'

Boyce is one of four players capped by Northern Ireland to be signed by Lynch since he took up the job in November with Gavin Whyte, Shane Ferguson and Carl Winchester also making the move.

The series of transfer coups have received plenty of attention but Lynch is not surprised by the pull of his new club.

"Some of the players that we've brought in, there's no doubt they're household names," he said.

"People maybe don't understand the size of Derry City Football Club.

"When you get into it with them and they understand what this club could be and where this club could potentially go, it's not a difficult sell. Up to now, they've been superb."

Lynch, who won back-to-back Irish Premiership titles at Inver Park, has also brought in midfielders Robbie Benson and Dom Thomas from Dundalk and Queen's Park respectively.

Among the departures, Daniel Kelly joined Shelbourne, Shane McEleney and Ciaran Coll signed for Glentoran, and Ballymena United snapped up Patrick McEleney.

Lynch has not ruled out further business before the season starts.

"As a manager are you ever happy? You always want more," he added.

"January is a tough window. Some of the signings that we got, we've been very lucky and we're delighted with what we have.

"Would we like to bring one or two more in certain areas? Absolutely. Whether it happens or not, I don't know."