NAPPIEST DAYS OF MY LIFE
Party boy Boyle ready to settle down as a dad
MARTIN BOYLE embarked on a four-day bender when Hibs won the Scottish Cup and was last man standing when the party ended.
The winger also incurred the wrath of boss Neil Lennon for breaking a curfew to go on a drinking session with Anthony Stokes and Danny Swanson during the club’s winter training camp in the Algarve.
But Boyle insists his wild days are coming to end as he prepares to become a dad.
The 24-year-old and his fiancee Rachel are expecting their first child in September.
So Boyle admits it might finally be time to grow up.
The 24 year-old said: “It’s great news. We have been trying for a while and now it’s happening.
“We’ve had the scans and we heard the heartbeat for the first time the other day.
“It was a shock when Rachel told me – it cured the hangover!
“It was brilliant. I was delighted, the family are chuffed and we all can’t wait for it to come around.
“The baby is due on September 9, so Rachel is trying to convince me to grow up. It’s definitely a lifechanging thing. I hope I can calm down now.”
Boyle reckons life couldn’t get any sweeter on and off the park.
After dazzling at the start of the season he signed a new four-year deal with the Hibees back in December.
The former Dundee ace credits gaffer Lennon for getting the best out of him and admits it’s great to have the security of a long-term contract as he now needs to provide for his family.
Ahead of today’s clash with Partick Thistle, Boyle said: “I’m in a happy place at the moment and the football is going well. Hopefully that can continue.
“It has been a fantastic season for me and the team.
“The baby news came after the new contract but it was great for me to get tied down when I did. As soon as the gaffer told me he wanted me to stay I was desperate to get it done.
“He has really brought the best out of me. I have been a lot more consistent this season, I have made a lot more chances.
“My end product could be a wee bit better. I know that and I’m working hard to improve that every day in training.
“I’m getting in those positions and if I can improve I can take my game to another level. My positional sense has got better. I have been all round the pitch this year in different positions and that’s something you adapt to and learn from.
“Playing against different players and different teams helps you kick on and become a better player.”
Boyle won’t need to look too far for advice about taking care of a baby as team-mates Paul Hanlon and Ofir Marciano recently welcomed new arrivals.
But neither of them is holding out much hope for Boyle’s parenting skills.
The winger said: “The lads have all been saying I have no chance! Paul has just had a wee one, as has Ofir, and they’ve been giving me tips.
“They’re proud as well, we’re a tight bunch here.”
Lennon’s men face three Premiership games in a week, starting today against the Jags.
Hibs also host Hamilton on Tuesday night before travelling to Dingwall to face Ross County next weekend.
The Easter Road side sit in fourth spot – just four points off Aberdeen in third and six away from Rangers in second.
And Boyle knows facing three of the Premiership’s bottom four has handed Hibs a glorious chance to apply some pressure before the split. He said: “We want to push on. There is a good opportunity for us.
“We have massive games coming up that we need to approach properly and earn the right to win.
“There are teams chasing us who want to be in the position we are in so we need to be aware of what is behind us and try to kick on.
“These three games are crucial and it is going to be an exciting few weeks now until the end of the season.
“It’s all about winning games and we know if we drop points there are teams behind who can catch us.
“Hopefully we can drive on and push further up the league.”