I have no idea if Martin Boyle is a regular Daily Record reader.
But I have a suspicion he might just be because ever since I wrote in this column that Hibs should forget about handing him a new deal, he hasn’t stopped scoring! That was on the morning of the game against Aberdeen up at Pittodrie on December 21.
In the six games since then, Boyle’s fired five goals – including back-to-back doubles against Rangers and Motherwell. If my words have stung him into action, then I’m happy to take my share of the credit! But what’s more likely is that the stand-in Leith skipper has simply rediscovered his best form after finally overcoming some difficult injury issues. Like Martin, I was a frontman who relied on my pace so I know from experience how difficult it can be to get going when you don’t feel quite right physically.
He’s had a knee injury and a problem with his wrist lately. But I wasn’t sure if that they were really what was holding Boyle back given we were halfway through the season and he still hadn’t really make an impact.
But it’s clear now that whatever was bothering him is now gone and we’re seeing the Martin Boyle of old. And to set the Record straight, on current form of course you’d hand the 31-year-old a new contract.
His boss David Gray was playing it cool when he was asked about his talisman after the weekend win over Well. “You always want to keep players that perform like that – that’s the challenge to the wee man, to make sure he keeps going,” he said after watching the striker score in a 3-1 win.
I like that, because it incentivises Martin to keep his standards high. If he can do that, I’m sure Hibs will look after him. They can’t hang around too long though because his performances might also alert rival suitors.
And at his age, Boyle might also fancy one last adventure before hanging up his boots. We all know his stint in Saudi didn’t really scratch that itch and there’s been talk of him perhaps moving Down Under.
But for me Martin Boyle and Hibs are a perfect match and it would be a shame to let that relationship go to waste. I’ve got to praise Gray’s leadership because I think we’re also seeing a new side to Boyle. He’s been handed a leadership role this season.
He is a joker off the park but you can see he’s deadly serious about business on it. His reputation for a carry on might have put some folk off handing him that extra responsibility but fair play to Gray, because he’s realised that Boyle’s personality once he crosses the white line is totally different to when he’s mucking around with his mates in the dressing room.
There are different ways to lead and Boyle’s preferred method is clearly bases on deeds rather than shouting and roaring. It takes a proper manager to spot someone’s potential when it’s not clear to others so well done David Gray.
I’m delighted that he’s also now getting a tune out of the rest of the Hibs team. Let’s be honest, he was probably close to losing his job after picking up just one win from the first 14 games of the season.
Everyone at Easter Road wanted to see David do well given his special place in Hibs’ history. But the 2016 Scottish Cup hero has turned it round and now his side are up into the top six for the first time this season.
They’ve suffered just one defeat in the last 10 and that was at Celtic Park on a day when they performed well. Finishing in the top half is now the minimum that’s expected.
It was a slow start but a strong finish to the season could put them in with a shout for Europe – and I think that has to be the aim. With Aberdeen continuing to falter, I’m not ruling out the possibility of Gray’s team making a late bid for third place. I don’t know about Boyle, but that’s something I’m looking forward to reading all about in the months to come.