‘First-class’ Boyle stars off bench
SOCCEROOS’ Scotsman Martin Boyle is itching for another opportunity at international level after a sizzling second-half cameo in Australia’s 1-1 draw with South Korea.
Hailing from Aberdeen but eligible to play for Australia thanks to his Sydney-born father, Boyle made a telling contribution off the bench on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.
The 25-year-old Hibernian winger and fellow substitute Awer Mabil added some much needed spark to the Socceroos attack, with Boyle also having a crucial touch in Australia’s stoppage-time equaliser scored by Massimo Luongo.
“I’m very hungry,” Boyle said ahead of Australia’s clash with Lebanon at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium tomorrow night.
“Coming on as a sub you’re probably the most important player on the pitch.
“You’ve got to bring that injection. We (him and Mabil) bring raw pace, we like to get fans off their seats, we like to carry the ball and get at and commit people. We bring something extra to the game.”
Boyle revealed that Socceroos coach Graham Arnold told him he would score as he was about to enter the contest on Saturday night
“It was as good as a goal for me being involved with the goal. I’m claiming an assist there,” Boyle said.
“(Arnold’s) given me the opportunity, and I want to grab it with both hands.
“There’s a big tournament (the Asian Cup) coming up and everyone’s fighting for the same jersey.”
A buzzing Boyle got in contact with his family in Scotland soon after full-time.
“They watched the game – it’s quite exhilarating at the moment,” he said.
Arnold said Boyle had “fitted in like a glove” in the Socceroos set-up.
“His character, attitude, mentality … first-class,” Arnold said.