No pain, no gain for Boyle as he gears up for Greek challenge
HIBERNIAN’S triumph over Faroe Islands minnows NSI Runavik may have been routine, but it was anything but painless. Martin Boyle has the bruises to prove it. As his Hibs team-mates celebrated Thursday’s comprehensive 6-1 victory which effectively settled the tie prior to what could have been an onerous trip to Toftir next week, Boyle was just relieved to still be in one piece.
The Easter Road winger endured brutal treatment from the toughtackling part-timers, especially hulking left-back Einar Trondargjogv — who had the physique and the temperament of a particularly illtempered Juniors defender.
The NSI man, who had already given away a penalty to allow Florian Kamberi to open the scoring, was given his marching orders by referee Manfredas Lukjancukas after just 30 minutes following a wild challenge on Boyle.
With the part-timers down to ten men, Hibs ran riot — Kamberi notching a hat-trick, debutant Stevie Mallan a brace and Oli Shaw rippling the net.
Although he did not get on the scoresheet, Boyle was irrepressible on the right flank, dusting himself off after every scything challenge before embarking on yet another mazy run.
‘The boy (Trondargjogv) has taken my foot back home to the Faroes with him,’ Boyle smiled ruefully. ‘Fortunately I saw him coming in, so I thought: “Brace yourself”, but my team-mate (Vykintas Slivka) didn’t help me out with a slow ball!
‘They were physical — my legs have taken a beating. It’s part and parcel of the game, you’ve got to take hits. You just have to get up, brush them off and try to go again. I’m used to that.
‘There’s not much I can do about it — I’m just a wee guy. Hopefully the rest of the team can back me up!
‘We knew they were part-time and that they would be big and physical. We were always going to need to stand our ground and fight.
‘But we also knew if we passed the ball the way we can and set our own tempo, they’d struggle, which is how it played out. We didn’t take them for granted, played well, moved the ball quickly and got our goals. The main thing is everyone is in good health and we’re buzzing to go for next week.’
It is a case of ‘no pain, no gain’ for Boyle, who can cast his eye towards what promises to be an altogether more testing tie against Asteras Tripolis in the second qualifying round.
The Greek cracks finished fifth in their domestic league last season and reached the Europa League group phase in consecutive campaigns between 2014 and 2016.
Led by Michalis Manias, the Greece international striker who scored 11 goals last term, Asteras have a swathe of players infinitely more dangerous than those possessed by NSI — and will have 33-degree temperatures to their advantage at home.
‘If we get through it will be a bigger test, but that’s why we fought so hard to get here,’ added Boyle. ‘That’s what the gaffer was emphasising — you don’t want to put all your hard work last season to waste by going out early. We want to have a good run.
‘Different climates and conditions will always be a factor. If we get to Greece it will be really hot, but I’m sure we’ll go over, get a few training sessions and adapt.’
The confidence in the Hibs camp is palpable. The party line is that they are aiming for the group phase, a feat not achieved in a European tournament by any club outwith Celtic and Rangers since Aberdeen did it in 2007/08.
A veteran of continental competition with Celtic, evidently the goals of head coach Neil Lennon are lofty.
‘We believe in ourselves,’ said Boyle. ‘We were ambitious all of last season, so I don’t see why we should change our attitude and mentality now.’
If Hibs are to reach the group phase, Swiss marksman Kamberi will undoubtedly be pivotal.
His treble against Runavik saw him become the first man since Alan Gordon to notch a hat-trick for Hibs in European competition.
Suffice to say he has picked up where he left off after the Leith side shelled out £100,000 to make his loan deal from Grasshoppers permanent.
Boyle added: ‘Flo has been brilliant since he’s come in. We set ambitious targets and it’s a statement of intent to get him back. He’s a great signing after what he achieved last year. He’s already flying so hopefully that can continue.’