Maloney pleased to see Boyle efforts recognised despite latest derby blow
SHAUN Maloney has welcomed Martin Boyle’s latest call-up for Australia and insisted Hibernian will be able to cope without their on-form winger in his first Edinburgh derby.
Socceroos manager Graham Arnold is set to name Boyle in his squad for the Qatar 2022 qualifiers against Vietnam on January 27 and Oman on February 1 today.
The nine-times capped 28-year-old will be a huge loss for Hibs – who are set to take on Motherwell, Livingston and Hearts in the cinch Premiership in the coming fortnight - but Maloney believes he has adequate cover
Speaking ahead of the Scottish Cup fourth round match against League 1 leaders Cove Rangers at Easter Road tonight, he expressed hope that his new signing Elias Melkerson will secure his work permit imminently.
Asked about the teenage Norwegian forward’s situation, he said: “Nothing has changed, but we are hoping that within the next 24 hours that can change. If it doesn’t then it’s okay. We have planned for both scenarios. If not within the next 24 hours then it won’t be too long after that.
“It would be really good for Elias (to play when Boyle is away on international duty) because he is definitely a longer term prospect. He is someone we will give time to adapt to the league and a different country. He is a very young boy.
“But we have very good options in that area. Christian (Doidge) looks like he is coming back to his very best for and we have Chris Mueller as well who is available for us. We have plenty of players for that position.”
Maloney added: “What Martin brings is very specific attributes. There aren’t too many in our team or in the league who have his attributes so it is up to me to find the right solution when he does go away.
“I knew this a couple of weeks ago and we spoke about the schedule. I understand the FIFA fixtures and the window so we planned for Martin to leave straight after the Cove match.
“It’s not disappointing, it’s not a blow. It’s just we have a player who plays for Australia, these are the games, we have to adapt to it. From Martin’s point of view I hope he has a really successful few games and
he qualifies for the World Cup.”
Meanwhile, Lewis Stevenson, the Hibs left back who is in his 17th season as a player in Leith, has admitted that working under former Belgium assistant Maloney has helped him to shake off many of the “bad habits” he has picked up from playing in Scottish football.
“In the three or four weeks that the manager has been in I have learned so much,” he said. “We are playing a different formation to any I have played in my 15 years or so in the game.
“There are little technical things, little defensive things, which are different. It keeps things fresh, it keeps me focused and I am really enjoying it.
“It keeps you on your toes. Subconsciously, you probably get into a comfort zone and pick up bad habits from, I don’t know, Scottish football that you need to change. There is a lot to learn.”
The 34-year-old, though, is not taking victory over lower league Cove this evening for granted as he can recall what a scare Hibs suffered against the north-east outfit in a League Cup group game at the Balmoral Stadium last season.
“We were lucky to win the game to be honest,” he said. “They were the better team in my opinion. It was a good win in the end for us. The manager (Jack Ross) said the first half was the worst half of football he had been involved in.
“I think they’ve improved since then. It is going to be a tough game and is not one we are underestimating. They don’t just have good individual players, tactically they are very good. They are flying just now as well. They caused us lots of problems. We have done a lot of work on them and know how they are going to approach this one.”