The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Rae says pal Boyle good for an Old Firm double
Gavin Rae was thrilled to see old Dundee pal Martin Boyle run Rangers ragged – and reckons he is on course for an Old Firm double whammy.
Rae watched his former Dens team-mate bag a sensational first-half hattrick as Hibs dumped the shell-shocked Ibrox outfit to seal a return visit to Hampden to face Celtic in next month’s cup final.
Boyle’s career has taken off big-time at Easter Road where the Australian international has blossomed into an fine attacker on his day.
And ex-rangers midfielder Rae, who now lives in Sydney, believes Boyle poses a massive threat to the Hoops ahead of their December 19 showdown.
Rae said: “I’m over the moon for Boyley. That was a big moment on a big stage.
“It’s down to himself and all his hard work. Boyley is always a threat due to his pace, fitness and eye for goal which he proved against Rangers on Sunday.
“It will be tough in the final against Celtic of course, but he’s so effective on his day. From our time together at Dens, he’s come on leaps and bounds. So it’s been great to see him do so well but I feel there is still more to come for sure.
“I think he’s a threat to any team with his attributes. And now he’s got the belief that’s a major thing.”
Rae remains in regular contact with his fellow Aberdonian and is delighted to see him starring on the international stage as well.
He added: “I still speak to Boyley quite a lot.
“He got me tickets for the game across here.
“So I went and watched his game out here for
Australia v Saudi Arabia. To be honest, he was one of Australia’s best players that night also. So he’s flying right now.”
Hibees captain Paul Hanlon, meanwhile, has set his sights on a rare double after the victory over Rangers.
Lewis Stevenson is the only Hibs player to have won both the Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Cup, doing so in 2007 and 2016 respectively.
Now 31-year-old Hanlon, who was part of the Hibs side who triumphed in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers five years ago, wants to join him when the Easter Road side face Celtic in December’s final.
He said: “In the year we won the Scottish Cup I missed out on the League Cup final, we got beat in that game.
“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t something I thought about, in terms of trying to win both of the trophies and now we’re obviously one step closer, one game to go, and I am really excited for it.
“I absolutely loved every second of Sunday. Obviously we put ourselves in a great position with our first-half performance. I was over the moon and delighted to celebrate with our fans at the end.
“We had a big semi-final win (over Dundee United) last year that got us into the Scottish Cup final and there was no one here to celebrate with, so it was a really special moment.
“It was great for all the fans who were there and great for a lot of the players who maybe haven’t sampled that sort of thing before.
“It was moment. buzzing.”
After picking up a booking from Kevin Clancy for a foul on Joe Aribo a really good We are all within seconds of the kick-off, Hanlon composed himself to turn in a terrific performance.
Straight after Boyle slammed in his third from the spot in the 38th minute Scott Arfield pulled a goal back for Rangers but Hibs stood firm.
Hanlon, who recently signed a new deal which keeps him at Easter Road until 2024, said: “I got booked in 10 seconds was it? 14? That’s all right then!
“I don’t know if it focused me a bit more in terms of I had to be right at it or I probably wouldn’t see out the game.
“I really enjoyed it, the three goals kind of helped a bit and gave us that grit and determination.
“I wouldn’t say we were comfortable at any stage because they have got a lot of quality in their team but it just seemed that we were all on the same page.”