BOYLE IS ECSTATIC AFTER OZ EXPLOITS

MARTIN BOYLE admits he was desperate to do his family proud after hitting a brace on his first start for Australia. The 25-year-old Hibernian striker, who is eligible to play for the Socceroos through his Sydney-born father Graeme, turned in a sensational showing in a 3-0 win over Lebanon — scoring twice before teeing up a third for Mathew Leckie. Boyle (below) stole the show from Tim Cahill as the Aussie icon made his 108th and final appearance for the nation at a packed ANZ Stadium in Sydney. ‘It was beyond my wildest dreams,’ said Boyle. ‘It’s been an incredible few days. ‘To start for Australia is a huge honour. The feeling when that first goal went in was immense and to have got my second straight after was so surreal. ‘Both were moments of intense pride and ones I will never forget. ‘Setting up the third goal was fantastic as well. It was a great pass from Aaron (Mooy) to me and I was delighted to see Mathew (Leckie) finish it off.’ Boyle’s virtuoso showing capped a whirlwind three days for the Easter Road favourite, having climbed from the bench on his debut against South Korea last Saturday to play a pivotal part in the late leveller as Massimo Luongo rescued a 1-1 draw in Brisbane. ‘I’m claiming the assist from the first game, too, so to have two goals and two assists isn’t so bad!’ he said. Australia boss Graham Arnold said: ‘Martin has fitted into the group so well. He’s a fantastic kid and it was a pretty special night when we presented him with his debut jersey and he got it from Timmy (Cahill). ‘I just said to him: “You may have to be No 4 (Cahill’s number) now!”