Boyle battles to strike for starting slot
MARTIN BOYLE has confessed he’s caught up in the most cut-throat fight of his career as he battles to win a start up front for Hibs.
The 23-year-old striker bounced off the bench on Christmas Eve to rescue a point in the 1-1 draw with Raith as Dundee United wrestled top spot away from Neil Lennon’s side.
Boyle and Brian Graham had the starting jerseys in their possession ahead of Saturday’s Easter Road clash but found themselves jettisoned to the bench as Jason Cummings and Grant Holt returned.
After notching his sixth goal of the season against Raith, Boyle is desperate to get the nod for Hogmanay’s crucial trip to Falkirk.
The former Dundee star said: “I have not been at a club before where there’s such stiff competition for places up front.
“You can have a spell of three good games and then one bad and that could be you out.
“Every game here you need to be on the ball because you know someone’s going to take your jersey if you’re not.
“I was disappointed to be dropped but you need to come back and make an impression in the team.”
Lennon’s half-term report card should be so much better than looking at his side sitting two points off Ray McKinnon’s new Championship leaders.
Hibs dominated on Saturday, particularly the first half, ending up with 21 goal attempts and only Boyle’s 89th minute pointsaving strike to show for it.
As Celtic loan star Kris Commons settles in to offer another attacking option, Boyle insists the strikers are 100 per cent supportive whoever gets the nod.
He stressed: “Everyone’s backing each other, we all want the same thing in promotion and you’ve got to take it on the chin if you’re not picked.
“The manager must have a headache picking the team every week.”
Boyle knows the hard luck story of two points squandered against Raith has become a recurring theme that’s haunting Hibs’ season.
As the pacesetters become the chasers on Saturday at Falkirk, Boyle said: “It does get frustrating and the fans maybe start to get on your back.
“But you just need to block that out and believe you’re going to get another chance and score the goal.
“It’s hurting us because we’ve been top of the league since October.”