Boyle is ready to turn up the heat on Hearts

IT needed no Player of the Month trophy to remind Hibs of Martin Boyle’s importance to their hopes of overcoming Hearts. Scorer of both goals in a 2-0 win at Tynecastle in December 2019, manager Jack Ross describes the winger as a ‘matchwinner’.

The epitome of a talisman, Boyle caused a sharp intake of breath when he limped out of international duty with Australia as a precautionary measure ahead of tomorrow’s first Edinburgh derby of the season.

Voted the Premiership’s top player in August (pictured) after scoring four goals, news of the 28-year-old’s return to fitness provides a huge pre-match lift for the visitors before their high-noon showdown in Gorgie.

With Hibs above Hearts at the top of the table on goal difference, it’s likely to be a tempestuous, frantic occasion.

While Ross bemoans the loss of Jamie Murphy to a hamstring injury — Christian Doidge and Melker Hallberg are already out — Boyle’s availability comes as a relief.

‘He is a matchwinner for us,’ said the Hibs boss. ‘He has shown that consistently. You need them in your team.

‘It makes me smile when people point to “one-man” or “two-man” teams. The truth is that just about every club in the country — and we talk about it at national level, too — has talismen.

‘We are fortunate to have more than one matchwinner but Martin certainly fits that category. His goals and assists record last season and now this season is brilliant. He’s enjoying his football and continued his goalscoring streak in the Australia game (against China last week).

‘He’s had that feeling of playing and scoring at Tynecastle and winning — and I think he wants that again.’

Boyle certainly wants to create some new memories by ensuring Hibs remain top of the league tomorrow.

‘That was one of my best games, although I didn’t play as well as I wanted to despite scoring two goals,’ he said.

‘It’s memories like that people remember. I want to create more memories and score more goals there, but we know how challenging it will be. We’ll have to be at the top of our game.

‘I think it will be more difficult this time, both teams have started well and there’s a buzz about the city.’

Recalling the last time Hibs and Hearts entered a derby clash as top two in the country requires the wisdom of Methuselah.

Rangers could return to the summit today but, for the capital sides, the novelty of vying for top spot remains intact

‘It’s great for Edinburgh,’ added Boyle. ‘It adds more spice to the game and we’ll go there looking to win. We know the calibre of the game and what’s at stake.’

Surprisingly, home sides have failed to win in this league fixture in the last seven encounters, a sequence stretching back to May 2018 when Hearts won 2-1.

Hearts have won three, Hibs two, with the other two games finishing in draws. Asked to pinpoint why that might be, Ross shrugged. Contrary to the low expectations of the summer, Hearts have started the season strongly. Yet the same might be said of a Hibs team hoping to preserve their decent record on the road. ‘I can only go on the two (league) derbies I have had and both resulted in away victories,’ said Ross. ‘Derby matches in isolation are unique games. A lot of aspects go out the window — form, favourites, home backing, etc.

‘However, we go there with an away record over the last season and a bit that has been brilliant. It’s about trying to continue that.

‘The players who are still here from our last win will know how good a feeling it is. But I have experienced both sides and had some soreness as well.

‘All that does is intensify the desire to be on the right side of the result.’

Defeat for Hibs would only increase frustration over the inability to add one more player before the transfer window closed.

Ross tried for Jamie McGrath of St Mirren. More recently, he discussed a move with Barrie McKay, but the ex-Rangers player chose Hearts instead.

Tynecastle sporting director Joe Savage rubbed salt into wounds when he claimed Hearts beat off competition from a club ‘very near.’

Ross declared: ‘What I would say is that we spend a lot of time trying to recruit and we are quite patient with it.

‘We try to find out as much as we can, like a player’s’ appetite to come to the club, his best position, personal ambitions and financial aspects.

‘All these things come into play and are considered before an offer is put to a player. That is different to some of the speculation around.

‘Conversations are different to offers. I will leave it at that.’

It will be difficult but we go there looking to win. We know what’s at stake