Martin Boyle: “I’ll Be at Hibs Until They Decide Otherwise”
Martin Boyle has clarified his commitment to Hibs, stating he will remain with the club until they decide otherwise. Boyle emphasized that he never intended to suggest he was eager to leave for a new life in Australia, following weeks of speculation sparked by his comments on Aussie TV about a future move to the A-League.
Perth Glory’s director of football, Stan Lazaridis, compounded the speculation by expressing interest in continuing discussions with Boyle on the same broadcast. Despite this, Boyle has asserted that with a year left on his Easter Road contract, he is not planning to leave. He is determined to rebound from a tough previous season by embracing a leadership role under new manager David Gray.
Addressing the rumors directly, Boyle stated, “I’m still contracted here. And that’s how it will be for the remainder of my contract. I just want to get that straight.” He acknowledged that fans might have misunderstood his intentions, thinking he wanted to leave, but clarified that his comments were about his future aspirations rather than an immediate desire to exit.
Boyle expressed his love for the club, saying, “I love nothing more than being at this club and representing this club. The idea of giving something back to Australia was the point I was trying to get across.” He admitted last season’s performance didn’t reflect his best but is confident he has much more to offer and is preparing to have a great season.
Reflecting on how his words were perceived, Boyle explained, “In my head, I knew what it meant. But other people maybe took it out of context. Looking back on it, it doesn’t look great, but there was no way I wanted to disrespect the club at all.” He reiterated his commitment to Hibs, saying, “I’m a Hibernian player. And I will be until they say it’s enough.”
Boyle also mentioned how deeply embedded his family is with the club and how much they love it. “It’s got to the point where I’m living and breathing Hibs. I always want it to be like that,” he said.
Boyle, now one of the longest-serving players at the club, acknowledged the importance of stepping up as a leader, especially with the departure of senior players Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson. “I know the expectation levels; I understand how big a club we are and what the fans expect,” he said.
Boyle was named captain for a recent match against MSV Duisburg, highlighting Gray’s trust in his leadership. He aims to lead by example through his performances on the pitch and his standards in training, as well as fostering team unity off the field.
Boyle even reported back earlier than required from international duty, eager to reintegrate and prepare for the new season. “I’m not one for enjoying a break off. I kind of get bored around the house, get agitated, so I like to stay on the move and keep active as much as I can,” he explained.
Boyle is set on representing Hibs with dedication and passion, ready to instill the same commitment in his teammates as they embark on the new season.