Boyle eager to grab his big chance
MARTIN BOYLE cut a frustrated figure when injury prevented him from helping struggling Hibernian get over their poor start to the season.
Following the sacking of Paul Heckingbottom, however, the fit-again winger is now experiencing a different kind of annoyance.
Two wins and a draw in the first three matches under Jack Ross have seen the new boss understandably stick by the same tried-and-trusted starting XI.
But with a hectic run of festive fixtures to come this month, Boyle is hoping his starting chance will come sooner rather than later.
Then it is up to the speedy winger to nail down his place in the team now that he’s finally over the knee problem first picked up on international duty with Australia in January.
‘I’m itching to play but the squad have been doing well,’ said the 26-year-old ahead of tonight’s trip north to face Ross County.
‘It can be frustrating sitting on the bench but when the team is winning and doing well, there’s not much I can do. I’ve just got to take it on the chin.
‘But there are a lot of games coming up and there might be a bit of rotation or might not be.
‘All I can do is keep working hard in training and keep coming on and making an impact.
‘Then, whenever I’m called upon, I need to take my chance. When you’ve got the jersey and you’re doing well, you deserve to keep it. That’s always been the way. Hopefully I get a start soon.’
Boyle has sought reassurances from his new boss and was delighted to find out Ross rates him as more than a supersub.
‘I’m just back from injury and I hadn’t started a game before he came in,’ said Boyle.
‘So maybe he feels I’m not ready to start yet, and right now I’m better coming off the bench to make an impact.
‘But he’s said he will give everyone a chance. And it’s good to hear that he doesn’t see me as a sub.
‘We’ve also had a conversation about how I’m feeling fitness-wise and I’m getting fitter and stronger with every minute I get on the pitch.
‘I need to keep working hard to get fitter and stronger, and make sure I catch the eye. And, if I’m needed, I’ll give my all.’
After tonight’s match away to
County, Hibs host Aberdeen, then travel to Glasgow to take on Celtic, before welcoming Rangers to Leith. After that comes Ross’ first Edinburgh derby against Hearts at Tynecastle.
Despite throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Kilmarnock last Saturday, Boyle believes an increasingly confident-looking Hibs side are appearing better equipped to cope with big games.
‘We need to be competing,’ he said. ‘We are a big club ourselves and we have players who are capable of taking it to any team. But first we’ve got a massive game against Ross County to take care of and then we will get into that busy fixture list.
‘It will be tough against County on Wednesday night. They’ve got a big, physical team and it’s always hard going up there.
‘We will need to be switched on at all times and defend our area and, if we get chances, we need to be clinical.
‘We’ve been playing well recently but we’ve not been taking enough chances and we need to change that.’