Boyle:’Missed chancescost us– again’
MARTIN BOYLE saw Alan Mannus deny him a winner and then highlighted Hibs’ ambitions for this season by insisting the draw with St Johnstone was two points dropped.
The Easter Road men had to come from behind yet again after Michael O’Halloran’s opener early in the second-half.
However, after restoring parity with Paul Paton’s own-goal, Neil Lennon’s side were the likeliest winners and Saints keeper Mannus pulled off a stunning save to tip Boyle’s drive on to the bar and over late on.
“I thought my shot was going in,” said the Hibs winger. “I was already turning away, only to be brought back down to earth. It was an unbelievable save.
“We plodded along and created more chances but it was two points dropped and a frustrating day.
“We should have won, 100%, but we didn’t take our chances again.
“We created a few good chances, just as we did against Dundee, but never tucked them away.”
After returning to the Premiership with wins against Partick Thistle and Rangers, Hibs have followed that up by losing to Hamilton Accies and drawing with Dundee and, now, St Johnstone.
However, Boyle is convinced the Easter Road side will cope well in the top-flight.
“The games are more open this season – last year teams sat in and were harder to break down,” he added.
“We’ve stepped up a level and teams are happier to have a go. That’ll suit us.
“We played really well today, as we did against Dundee, but it was a lack of scoring again.”
Boyle was a constant menace down the right flank for Hibs on his return from a month out with a foot injury.
And the 24-year-old is thrilled to be back in the mix after a frustrating spell on the sidelines.
“I’ve been nipping the physio’s head every day to get back,” he admitted. “They have been good with me and I’m glad to be back in the team.
“They told me I would be out six weeks, but I’m way ahead of time.
“I was itching to get back.”