Martin Boyle and Jackson Irvine hoping to replicate Hibs connection with Australia

Martin Boyle and Jackson Irvine are keen to build on the connection they developed at Hibs when they take to the field wearing Australia strips this summer.

Jackson Irvine and Martin Boyle are hoping to carry on their Hibs form with Australia

The pair could feature for the Socceroos in their four World Cup qualifiers in June against Kuwait, Chiese Taipei, Nepal, and Jordan and they are keen to pick up where they left off in the Capital.

Injuries have limited Boyle to just four caps while Irvine will be looking to add to his 34 international appearances.

Speaking to Tribal Football during Australia’s training camp in Dubai, Boyle said: “I feel like I've been quite unfortunate through injury with having to pull out of squads in the past but I'm really proud to be called upon again and hopefully I can add more caps.

"Personally, stats-wise, it was my best season. I'm really proud of what we achieved at Hibs although it didn't pan out the way we wanted - we wanted to win some silverware.

"It was still a great league position but it was different with no fans to cheer us on. It might have been different with an atmosphere but at the same time we set out to achieve third and got it. It was just that minor blip in not winning some silverware when we had the opportunity.”

Asked about his partnership with compatriot Irvine, he added: “We've built up a really good connection since he came in. He hadn't kicked a ball in over a year but the impact he had on the club, he really kicked us on and I know when he gets the ball that if I make a run then he has the attributes to find me, and it seems to have worked.”

Irvine agreed: “To link up with Boyley on the pitch has been awesome. We've got a really good understanding, football-wise. We have a good connection on the field and we're definitely looking to bring that to Socceroos games.

"We developed a good understanding. He knows when I'm in certain areas and he knows the sort of runs I'll ask him to make and I think we caused teams a lot of problems this season through the patterns we developed so hopefully we can carry that on here.”

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