SOCCEROO RECRUIT ON THE BOYLE IN DEBUT
HE’S Graham Arnold’s architect from Aberdeen who could yet be Australia’s Asian Cup go-to goal man.
And on his first start for his adopted country, on his first trip Down Under, Martin Boyle ensured Arnold’s Socceroos beat Lebanon 3-0 to go into camp in the UAE undefeated in his tenure.
The Scottish-born winger nabbed a first-half brace and laid on an assist for super-sub Mat Leckie at ANZ Stadium in Sydney last night in an arresting individual display that has already gone some way to alleviating Australia’s goal-scoring concerns.
As much as it was Tim Cahill’s night – the legend delighted ANZ Stadium’s crowd with 11 minutes as skipper – Boyle is already appearing to be a shrewd piece of recruitment ahead of January’s Cup defence.
“We looked all over the world for players and when I went to Hibs ... and spent a day there watching him train it was a no-brainer to convince him to play for Australia,” Arnold said. “He has fit in with the group so well. He’s a fantastic kid.
“It was a pretty special night last night when we presented him with his debut jersey and he got it from Timmy.
“So, as I just said to him, he might have to be No.4 now.”
Boyle almost had his first goal in the opening minutes when the ball nearly wiggled around goalkeeper Mehdi Khalil.