Hibs star Martin Boyle admits Edinburgh derby heroics will live with him 'for a long time'

Winger netted both goals in the 2-0 victory after a frustrating 2019 overall

Derby-day hero Martin Boyle admitted his Tynecastle double after missing most of 2019 through injury will live with him for a long time after Hibs defeated arch-rivals Hearts on their own ground for a second time this year.

The flying Australian internationalist got the Easter Road side off to the perfect start, scoring after just eight minutes before doubling their lead on the half-hour mark.

And although Hearts, anchored to the foot of the Premiership table, hit back in the second half, Jack Ross’ side stood firm as they bounced back from their own disappointment of having lost back-to-back matches against Celtic and Rangers.

Martin Boyle tucks away his second goal of the game for Hibs. Picture: SNS

Boyle was recovering from the first of two knee operations when Hibs crossed the city to win in Gorgie in early April when Daryl Horgan grabbed two goals, revealing he had dreamt of enjoying such a moment of his own.

He said: "I remember being injured and watching Daryl do it here and you just think to yourself in the stands, 'that's an unbelievable moment’.

“The punters came out and enjoyed it. It was brilliant and will live with me for a long time. It was a team game though and we were really at it."

While admitting he was delighted with his own personal contribution, Boyle also said that the satisfaction was one felt by everyone in green-and-white.

He said: “I would say we played to our strengths in terms of me being a nuisance, trying to get in behind. I think we expected them to come out second half and cause us problems but our defence was on top, big Daz (McGregor) back in after a lengthy spell out and Ofir (Marciano) between the sticks was brilliant.”

Much had been made of Hearts plight going into the match, the Jambos rooted to the foot of the Premiership table, but Boyle insisted he and his team-mates had paid no attention to that situation.

He said:” I think it all goes out the window when you come into a derby. When we come here we know it is going to be a battle.

“They are a big physical side and we knew our defence had to be and our keeper had to be strong and come out and collect the balls because we knew the threat they pose form long throws and corners coming into our box, but I thought we stood up well to that today.”

Now, declared Boyle, all attention is on Sunday’s match at Livingston and wrapping up the year with another three points.

He said; “We have come off the back of two really tough games, against two top sides, who are challenging each other.

“We got off to a really good start, with the early goal and the defence was brilliant and our midfield was really battling and I was causing a nuisance in behind and (Christian) Doidgy was running about, like he does, being a pest and winning his aerial battles and it all clicked today.

"Hopefully we can get a win on Sunday then we take a break. We get a mini pre-season under our belts and kick on again. Hopefully we can start pushing for top four and maybe creep in to that third position. We've got a good squad, we believe in what we're doing here and hopefully kick on."