Meet the Hibs stars who are expecting a baby together
THE regular assists contributed to the Hibernian team this season by jet-heeled Martin Boyle were enough to win the right winger a bumper new four-year deal last December.
For the 24-year-old, however, the greatest delivery of his life is yet to come.
On September 9, Boyle and fiancee Rachael Small — a star of the Hibs ladies team — are due to welcome their first child into the world.
The news has capped the season of Boyle’s dreams, with Neil Lennon’s side riding high in the Premiership in their first campaign back in the top flight.
And, with both prospective parents Scottish Cup winners with the Edinburgh side, Easter Road chief executive Leeann Dempster could be forgiven for snapping up Boyle Junior on a long-term contract when he or she arrives in six months.
‘It’s great news,’ beamed Boyle. ‘When Rachael first told me, it cured my hangover! No, it was brilliant.
‘We’d been trying for a while and I was delighted. The whole family are chuffed and we all can’t wait for September to come around.
‘We’ve had the scans and we heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time the other day, so it’s all positive.
‘Rachael’s now trying to convince me to grow up! Hopefully I will calm down now because having a baby is a life-changing event. In the Hibs team, Paul (Hanlon) has just had a wee one and so has (Ofir) Marciano and they’ve been giving me tips on how to approach life as a new dad.
‘They’re proud as well. We are a tight bunch here, so it’s all good. I am in a happy place at the moment. It’s a good time in my career and in my life.
‘My football has been going really well. It’s been a fantastic season for me and for the team.
‘Neil Lennon has really brought out the best in me and I feel I am playing well at the moment.
‘Everything has come along at once this season and I hope it’s not all downhill from here!
‘But with the baby on the way I will strive to get better and to provide for my fiancee and the baby when it arrives.
‘I just hope things can keep going well and that Hibs can push further up the league.’
That seems to be a given if the team’s recent momentum is anything to go by. Hibs are just six points behind second-placed Rangers, with a game in hand, and four away from third-placed Aberdeen.
Next up for Lennon’s men is a home match against Partick Thistle this afternoon. They then face Hamilton Accies at Easter Road on Tuesday before travelling to face rock bottom Ross County in Dingwall next Saturday.
Boyle hopes his side can boost their hopes of moving up the table at the end of this run of three matches.
‘We want to push on, and there is a good opportunity for us in the coming weeks,’ said the former Dundee and Montrose player.
‘They are massive games for us but we need to approach them properly and earn the right to win. We know there are teams chasing us who want to be in the position that we are in right now.
‘So we need to be aware of what is behind us and we need to kick on even more. It’s all about winning games and pushing up the league. It’s going to be an exciting few weeks.’
The international break came at exactly the right time for Boyle after he had been suffering for a while with some niggling injuries.
He is now hoping to bring the same explosive impact to the Easter Road side that has been a highlight of their first season back in the Premiership.
He feels, though, that his best is yet to come if he can work on improving his final ball.
‘The international break has been about dealing with my Achilles,’ added Boyle. ‘It has come at a good time for me and a few of the other boys who have had little niggles here and there.
‘But we’ve got three games in a week coming up so the aches and pains will probably start up all over again.
‘However, I feel that I’ve been a lot more consistent this season than I have in other campaigns. I have made a lot more goalscoring opportunities.
‘My positional sense has improved as well. I have been playing all round the pitch this year in different positions and that’s something that you adapt to.
‘I feel I have kicked on this season and I have become a better player. It’s been really good. My end product could be a wee bit better. I know that myself, but I am working hard in training every day to improve on that.
‘But at least I am getting into those positions. I feel if I can improve my end product, then I can take my game to another level.’