Martin Boyle discusses new Hibs contract as he reveals Neil Lennon advice

Winger keen to kick on after extending Hibs stay

Martin Boyle has extended his stay at Hibs until the summer of 2023

Martin Boyle has admitted there was never any real chance of him leaving Hibs as he discussed signing a new two-year contract with the Easter Road side.

The 27-year-old, who has been with the Easter Road club for five years, was entering the final year of his deal with Hibs and has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move away from the Capital.

The Australia internationalist was reportedly a target for a number of clubs in the English Championship but insisted he hadn’t been tempted to head for pastures new.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s televised home match against Aberdeen, the 27-year-old expressed his relief at getting the deal sorted.

Boyle said: “It has been playing on my mind over the past few weeks, just trying to get it over the line and trying to get it done as quick as possible.

"The club approached me and my agent came up. We were all round the table – myself, Graeme [Mathie, Sporting Director], Leeann [Dempster, chief executive] and Ron [Gordon, chairman] and it was pretty simple. We all knew what we wanted, and we got it done.

“I didn’t want to play the club about so I think it was just best for me to get a bit of security. I’m enjoying it, I’m playing football regularly, and I’ve got young family here who love it as well.

"Hopefully this is, maybe not paying it back, but a bit of loyalty and a bit of faith that you sometimes don’t see in the game these days."

The former Dundee forward will have turned 30 by the time his new deal expires. Was there ever a thought at the back of his mind about securing a big contract if he looked elsewhere?

Boyle continued: “I’m playing and enjoying it, the manager has put faith in me and I know the club and the fans.

"Happiness for me is key and the way I’m playing, there’s no need to see anything out or jump ship and go into the unknown.

"It’s been a long journey to get here. I’ve missed a big chunk of football through injury but I’m really happy; I’m still learning and hopefully I'll get better.”

Since arriving at Hibs in January 2015 Boyle has played under Alan Stubbs, Neil Lennon, Paul Heckingbottom, and Jack Ross, but it’s the Northern Irishman who Boyle credits with helping him improve.

He explained: “Neil Lennon asking, ‘has the penny dropped?’ was what helped me progress.

"I was playing a lot of games in the Championship and we got promoted and he gave me that chance.

"I’ve progressed every season. Maybe little chances like that, little words in your ear can push you on the way.”

Stubbs, too, should take some of the plaudits for taking a chance in offering the winger a two-year deal when he was out injured during the former Everton defender’s tenure.

As a result, Boyle is now one of the longest-serving players on the books at Easter Road, with just defensive stalwarts Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson having spent longer in the first team, but there is no chance of the attacker toning down his funnyman act just because he is now a senior figure in the dressing room.

Boyle laughed: “Lewis and Paul have been here for years. I know some of the boys are now joking about testimonials but I just take all that with a pinch of salt. I get no respect but that’s all right, I don’t mind that, I like to still think I’m young.

"There are big characters in there who won’t take no for an answer and won’t take any messing around but I just play about. When I finally do mature then maybe people will take me seriously.”

Behind the madcap exterior, though, is a footballer determined to be as good as he can who has set himself very high standards.

Boyle continued: “There's hopefully a lot more to come from me. I’m hoping to add a lot more goals and assists to my game, maybe hit double digits in both but if I am playing, and the team is doing well and I am doing my bit, I’m happy.”

Hibs are unbeaten in the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership and still have a Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts to play later this year, but Boyle insists the players aren’t looking too far ahead.

He added: “It has been a good start but we don’t want to get carried away. We still have the Scottish Cup semi-final so hopefully we have an outside chance there.

"It will be tough but we also want to push for the European spot and a much better position than we were in last season.”