Martin Boyle has transformed his Hibs season after it looked like being a forgettable one.
The speedy forward wasn’t in great form to start the campaign and spent a few games on the bench, Boyle later admitting that was the ‘kick up the backside’ that sparked his upturn in form.
He got his season back on track with a double against Aberdeen and hasn’t looked back. Now on 14 goals for the campaign, he has been a big part of the Hibees side which has dragged itself from the doldrums of the relegation spots to third in the Premiership.
Boyle has been praised by manager David Gray on more than one occasion, including after the recent draw with Kilmarnock in which he scored the opener.
Hibs star Boyle scores for Australia
In a break from the domestic stuff, Boyle was in action for Australia today as they thumped Indonesia 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier.
The Hibs man opened the scoring from the spot, the penalty won by club teammate Lewis Miller. That was later added to by former Hibee Jackson Irvine’s double as well as one by Nishan Velupillay.
Miller also ended up getting on the scoresheet himself too, his second for his country.
For the first, the right-back was hauled to the deck from a corner and that was picked up by VAR. After a review, the spot kick was awarded. Boyle took it with his usual poise, tucking it bottom left as the keeper went the wrong way.
Miller made it four later in the game from another corner, Craig Goodwin’s dangerous ball in finding him at the back post and he bulleted a header into the back of the net.
Boyle’s Hibs future in focus
Boyle is due to come to the end of his contract in the summer and his future is up in the air. Easter Road chiefs do hold an option to extend it by a year but both parties would still have to be happy with any deal.
He has previously admitted to being keen to play in the A-League before his career comes to an end, but more recently Boyle said he was open to staying at Hibs a little longer.
It is something Gray would like to happen too, and the manager admitted he hoped his relationship with the player would help.
Hibs heroes Ian Murray and John Hughes debated the situation, both admitting it would be great to see Boyle stay but there might be mitigating factors.