Hibs ace Martin Boyle speaks on opening-day win, Copa America, and goal targets

Winger fired Hibs to opening-day win

Martin Boyle picked up where he left off last season by netting an opening-day double

Martin Boyle grabbed an opening-day double as Hibs posted a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock – but insists he doesn’t set goal targets for himself.

Deployed as a centre-forward with Christian Doidge still not 100 per cent fit following his pre-season injury lay-off, Boyle struck just five minutes in after capitalising on an error from visiting goalkeeper Jake Eastwood, and again on 34 minutes as the Easter Road side started the season with three points.

Speaking after the match, the 27-year-old insisted the main thing was a winning start to the campaign.

“Obviously Christian wasn’t fully fit, so the manager asked me to do a job up there. I’m just happy to be in the team and I feel comfortable playing up there or out wide, whatever helps the team.

“It’s an important result. You want to start the season off right, and we did that.

“I was a bit fortunate with the first goal because he slipped, but I was happy to get it. The second, I just got a good, clean connection and it went in.”

Asked what it was like scoring with no supporters erupting in the stands, Boyle said: “There’s nothing we can do about there being no fans here, we have to put that to the back of our heads.

“The club is obviously trying to make as much atmosphere as they can, they’ve put photos around the stadium. All of that is quite good.

“But it will be much better when the real fans come back. I mean, a goal is a goal – you’ve got your team-mates to celebrate with, at least.

“It’s weird because you want that atmosphere here. I’m hoping the fans were off their seats watching at home.”

Despite netting a brace inside 30 minutes and coming close to making it a hat-trick in the second half, Boyle brushed off talk of a record-breaking season for him in terms of goals.

“The win is the most important thing and I’m delighted to help the team any away I can,” he added.

“I don’t set targets. It’s been a long journey for myself, coming from away down in the Highland League.

“Just to be a professional football player, I’m grateful every day. The most goals I’ve got in a season is ten, I think. But no targets, honest.”

The winger-cum-striker was also impressed by the trio of new signings, who were all handed starting berths, in particular midfield enforcer Alex Gogic and strike partner Kevin Nisbet.

“I think Gogic is what we’ve missed for a while. He does a lot for the team, puts himself about and has an unselfishness that really helps,” Boyle said.

“Kevin got an assist for me and I’m sure it won’t be long before he’s pitching in with goals.”

The Australia internationalist had been due to feature for the Socceroos in the Copa America this summer but the coronavirus pandemic robbed him of the chance to face the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Alexis Sanchez in South America.

Boyle still harbours hopes of playing in the rearranged tournament, due to be played during June and July 2021, but insists his attention is firmly on domestic football

“I just need to wait and see what happens. Right now I’m focusing on making performances week in, week out for Hibs.

“Success for us this season is definitely finishing higher than last season – a Europa League spot, top four, maybe push even higher.

"Hopefully we can get up there.”