What David Gray has said about Martin Boyle’s Hibs future as boss gives update

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Martin Boyle is back in the Hibs team and doing what he does best – running defences ragged and scoring goals.

The Australia international scored a double during the Hibees’ win over Motherwell to to make it four goals in two games and five in his last six.

His tally for the season is now 10 with seven assists added.

Boyle admitted a spell on the Hibs bench was the “kick up the backside” he needed to spark him back into form.

And manager David Gray hailed him for his attitude throughout as he stuck to his job and worked his way back into the side.

Gray also insisted Hibs veteran Dwight Gayle’s “infectious” qualities were rubbing off on Boyle and getting the best out of him.

The 31-year-old is out of contract in the summer and there has been a lot of speculation around his future – with a switch to the A-League mooted after he previously admitted he’d love to play there.

The Hibees do hold an option to extend by a year but would need the player to agree.

• READ MORE: Two ‘absolutely fantastic’ Hibs stars key to Motherwell win highlighted

Gray opens up on Boyle’s Hibs situation

With Boyle back on form and finding his shooting boots again, his manager is desperate to keep him around at Easter Road.

He insists they are always in communication and the good feeling the forward has around his game right now could help sway things.

Gray is a former teammate of Boyle’s and, asked whether that could also help, said: “Yeah, I think that does work both ways to be honest. I think it probably helps that I’ve got that little personal relationship with him.

“But then when you are talking about something like his future, it’s very important that it’s not personal at all for me. I can’t use the fact that he used to be my teammate or whatever. Not at all.

“There’s conversations going on all the time. At this moment in time, he’s really happy in playing the way he is. If that continues to the summer, then we’ll all benefit from that.”

Gray/Boyle Hibs relationship could help negotiations

Pushed on how their relationship could affect negotiations, he went on: “Yeah, within reason. Because then, if anything happens …

“As always, whether players are in contract, out of contract, when you play for a club like this and we’re playing well at the moment, there’s some players that maybe aren’t playing who clubs on the outside will look at and say: ‘Well, he might be available. Could he be available?’

“But even your key players that are playing and playing well will attract interest from other clubs. So you need to always be on the front foot and be ready to react.

“I don’t want to lose anyone. If somebody says, you’re going to lose Martin Boyle, I wouldn’t want that to happen.

“But it’s also a business and everything that comes with that. So we need to be proactive and ready for anything that could come up.

“But at this moment in time, he’s happy, he’s playing and long may that continue. He’s a player that we’re benefiting from being back to what’s deemed his best at the moment, which is great. He’s playing with a smile on his face.

“He’s happy. He’s had to go through a bit of adversity this season. For the first time in his career, since he really kicked on, when he first joined the club, he had to be patient to get his game regularly.

“But then he really became a key figure for his club. He’s played in a lot of big games and a lot of key moments for the club, big moments for the club.

“I think we’re starting to see that again. He’s had to go through a tough time, but he’s playing with a smile just now – and long may that continue.”