MART’S IN CAP DEMAND
Lenny: I’d love to see wing king Boyle jump at chance to star for Socceroos but he faces big decision as Scotland are on his trail too
NEIL LENNON admits he would love to see Martin Boyle bag an Australia cap – but revealed the Socceroos could have a fight on their hands from Scotland.
Aussie boss Graham Arnold last week visited Easter Road and met with Boyle to discuss the possibility of capping him.
Although born in Aberdeen, the winger’s father Graeme hails from Sydney while he’s only represented Scotland at Under-16 level.
Boyle could now be invited to a Socceroos camp in Dubai next month in the lead-up to a friendly against Kuwait on October 15.
Lennon believes exposure to international football could benefit Boyle’s development, with Jamie Maclaren and Mark Milligan already in the Australian fold.
But the Northern Irishman revealed the 25-year-old was also the subject of interest from the Scotland camp in the run-up to a summer trip to the Americas that saw them take on Mexico and Peru.
Lennon said: “An Australia call-up would be thoroughly merited for Martin.
“We had Graham Arnold here last week checking up on Milly and Jamie then he came to the game against Kilmarnock.
“Unfortunately Martin only lasted 45 minutes but Graham saw plenty of footage of him while he was here.
“He is a player that is of interest to Australia and I think that would appeal to Martin.
“There is still room for improvement in his game but he has been tremendous for me over the two years I have been here.
“As long as he keeps his progress going and doesn’t rest on his laurels – and I don’t think he is the typetodothat.
“Physically he is stronger, he has electric pace and has been a huge player for me. He is everybody’s type of player – he wants to get past people and his movement and fitness levels are very good. International football would be great for his experience, to play at international level, especially for a country like Australia.
“It is a different footballing culture and I’m not sure he speaks the language!
“If he does get called up there is a familiarity there with the boys already here.
“It would be great for his game going forward. I had a chat with Graham on Friday but nothing was confirmed. We would be delighted for Martin if he does.
“We did get a call in from Scotland before the trip to South America but Martin had hurt his hamstring in the penultimate game of the season and was unavailable. It’s not my remit (to pick players for Scotland).”
Hibs fans will have to wait to see new signing Miquel Nelom with today’s trip to Dundee too soon amid a lack of match fitness. Even so, Lennon has already been impressed with what the left-back has to offer.
He said: “Miquel has good pace and shows good composure on the ball. He is 27 and has had a good career.
“He has spent a long time at Feyenoord and was playing in the top division in Holland last year with Sparta. We just liked the look of him. Of all the left-backs we considered, we kept going back to Miquel. “I was surprised a player of that quality was available, especially as he was playing Champions League football last year. Looking at him in training he seems smart.” Lennon’s side are chasing their first back-to-back wins since July at Dens today – and have an unlikely threat in David Gray. The full-back is targeting double figures for the season after netting his fourth goal in last week 3-2 win over Kilmarnock. The 30-year-old said: “I went about 12 seasons without scoring! This is the most goals I have scored in a season. “I’d swap scoring at the weekend for keeping a clean sheet though as we need to tighten up. I am aiming for 10 for the season rather than forever.”