After seven years at Easter Road, Martin Boyle has left Hibernian for pastures new. The Australian international has joined Al-Faisaly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a ‘significant seven figure sum’, marking an end to his time in Leith.
It’s a move which has been in the pipeline for a number of weeks – and in reality, Boyle’s departure from the club could have come sooner – but Friday morning’s confirmation was disappointing news nonetheless.
A player who will be hard to replace on multiple fronts, Martin Boyle’s impact at Hibs can’t be understated in seven years filled with goals, edge-of-your-seat moments and enough social media content to keep the HTC media team busy for the rest of the season.
Primarily deployed on the right wing, Boyle has featured at right wing back and centre forward during his time at the club and while one player is departing, we are left with gaps in three positions.
A Scottish Cup winner who contributed so much more to Hibernian than just lifting the trophy in 2016, Boyle established himself as a fans’ favourite during his time in green and white.
His infamous extended celebrations with players and supporters following the 3-2 win over Rangers after that day in May created a real connection with the Easter Road faithful that was never lost in the years which followed.
Initially joining on loan from Dundee in a swap deal involving Alex Harris in January 2015, Martin Boyle started life as a Hibs player in the Championship and would be part of the squad which finished the league season in second place and lost out to Rangers in the promotion play-offs.
In July 2015 Boyle returned to Easter Road on a permanent basis on a free transfer, what followed 10 months later would write Boyle’s name into legend and firmly cement him in the hearts of Hibs fans young and old.
What stood out after the Scottish Cup win in 2016 wasn’t Boyle’s contribution to the victory on the pitch – he was an unused substitute in the final – but his absolute, unbridled joy in the days which followed.
A player who had never tasted cup success in his professional career, Boyler was intent on making the most of the start of his summer holidays with a few days amongst the fans on Easter Road and in the surrounding area.
Everyone who was part of the cup final squad will be fondly remembered for years to come, but Boyle’s enjoyment of the cup win alongside the punters in the Hibs Club and Four in Hand – combined with his achievements on the pitch in the following seasons – really make him stand out as someone a bit special.
He celebrated, sang, danced and drank like the rest of us. He enjoyed the victory in the way it was meant to be enjoyed after all those nearly-moments and heartbreak. It’s cliched to say a footballer ‘is one of us’, but in his time at Hibs Martin Boyle really seemed to ‘get’ the club – whatever that means these days.
In an era of media training and bland personalities, Boyle was able to be himself. He came across as an honest pro and amongst his team mates he was the joker in the squad.
The fact he stuck around so long is testament to how much he enjoyed playing for Hibs and his standing amongst the club’s support shows that people loved him being at Easter Road.
On the pitch, Boyle’s pace and direct style meant he was a perfect fit for Hibernian. He got fans on their feet as he ran down the right wing against opposition defenders, turning them inside out more often than not.
In recent years Boyle cemented himself as a key part of the first team squad, with a level of consistency which made him one of the country’s best players. On his day he was unplayable – a Boxing Day double at Tynecastle and Hampden hattrick against Rangers two of his standout performances
Boyle emerged as the club’s main attacking threat without doubt and it earned him some dicey treatment from opposition defenders and managers. Many teams would set up to stop Boyle at all costs and it’s to his immense credit that he’d dust himself down and get on with it.
In recent months it became clear that if Martin Boyle didn’t have a great game, it was likely the team didn’t have a great game either and our reliance on him this season was one of the reasons for Jack Ross’ demise.
As a player and a person, on and off the pitch, Martin Boyle made his mark on Hibernian and we are in a far better place now than we were when he joined on loan in the second tier back in January 2015.
You only need to look at the reaction to his transfer to see the reputation Boyle holds amongst Hibs fans – he joins the likes of John McGinn as a player who supporters are sad to see go but whom they wish the greatest of success at their new club.
Very rarely does a fanbase unite with a sense of acceptance and understanding when one of their best players heads for the exit door, the reaction to Boyle’s departure says a huge amount about the work he’s done in his time at Hibs.
If reports are to be believed, both the club and Boyle will be well rewarded for his move to the Saudi Professional League and he leaves Easter Road with nothing but the best wishes of the Hibs support.
A player who has performed under numerous managers and in various systems, the Scottish-born Australian international stuck with the club when he could have looked to force a move over the years.
Celtic were heavily linked with an interest in his services more than once and as Boyle’s stock continued to rise it would have been easy for him to look to press for a transfer away.
Despite what the tabloids were trying to tell us, the switch to Saudi Arabia seems to have been concluded amicably between club and player, with a good fee for Hibs and a big payday for Boyle to come over the next few years.
CEO Ben Kensell appears to have played an integral role in creating a situation which allowed the club to stand firm in transfer negotiations with the Saudis. With Boyle’s £500,000 buyout clause removed from his newest contract it strengthened our hand and ensured the fee received for the forward would be representative of his worth to Hibernian.
In his farewell interview Boyle hinted that he may look to return to Easter Road one day. Time will tell how his move to Saudi Arabia goes, I hope he goes from strength to strength and has an enjoyable and successful time at his new club.
One thing is for sure, if Boyle does come back to the Hibees – as a player or just as a fan – he will be welcomed with open arms.
There’s a star man playing on the right, his name is Martin Boyle and he’s f***ing dynamite.
All the best and thanks for the memories!
The East Stand 