Crocked Boyle faces mental warfare during five-month absence, says McGregor
DARREN McGregor yesterday spoke of the “mental warfare” that lies ahead for his Hibernian team-mate Martin Boyle who faces nine months out of football having picked up a serious knee injury while with the Australian squad.
The winger’s season is over, and it may be well into the next campaign before he is seen again, which is a huge blow to player and club. McGregor is no stranger to dark times. Two cruciate ligament injuries robbed him of two years of his career. And even this season he has missed more than three months.
Boyle is a popular and valued member of Neil Lennon’s squad and, while he faces some tough times, he will receive plenty of support from inside the dressing room.
McGregor said: “I’ve been in Martin’s shoes. I’m led to believe it’s a meniscus, a lateral tear, so they are bad ones. But to be ruled out for the rest of the season, I feel his pain.
“He’d been called up for Australia, his consistency levels were good and he was playing his best football that he’s ever played.
“It’s a body blow and for that to be taken away from you. When what you enjoy is taken away from you it can get you down and depress you.
“People always say, ‘Ah, be positive, look on the bright side’ but when you are in your darkest hour there is no bright side. What you treasure is taking away for five months. It’s mental warfare.
“But he’s a strong guy and there’s good people behind him.
“There are a few guys in the team that have had bad injuries, myself included, so if he ever needs anything whether it is a chat, a physical issue or mental support, we’ll be there for him.”
This is the side of football few see. Sure, Boyle will be back, perhaps better than ever.
But, as McGregor can testify, such long absences from the game, the endless and monotonous rehab, the hours spent away from team-mates, is not easy.
He said: “You just have to ride it out. You do have negative thoughts when it first happens, but you draw inspiration from those around you.”