The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Boyle comes on to inspire Socceroos
Martin Boyle has revealed that Australia boss Graham Arnold tipped him to notch a goal on his Socceroos debut.
However, the Hibs star was happy with the next best thing as he inspired a dramatic comeback for his adopted nation on Saturday.
Boyle, 26, entered the fray after 71 minutes with the Aussies trailing South Korea 1-0 and played a pivotal part in their lastgap leveller.
He followed up on a spilled drive by Celtic ace Tom Rogic and, although’s Boyle’s effort was smothered, Massimo Luongo was on hand to tap the ball over the line to rescue a draw in Brisbane.
And the Easter Road favourite has been quick to claim his maiden international assist.
“Before I went on the manager actually told me I was going to score!” said the former Dundee player.
“He wasn’t too far away – because I’m claiming the assist.
“I was honoured to come on and I’m grateful to the gaffer for putting me in there. He has given me a real chance in international football and I want to grab it with both hands.
“The lads were great at the weekend and have been brilliant with me since I’ve walked in the door. Hopefully, I can show more glimpses of what I can do on the pitch.
“South Korea scored a good goal. That happens. But in terms of the character showed by the squad and the determination to get a late goal, everything was there.”
After starring from the bench at the weekend, Boyle could now be in line to make his maiden start for the Aussies in his father’s birthplace of Sydney when they face Lebanon at Stadium Australia tomorrow.
“We go back to the drawing board, back to training. We are working hard on the shape in system,” he continued.
“The lads will recover and I’m sure the manager will freshen things up for the Lebanon game. We’re all looking forward to it.”