Martin Boyle has begun the new year with two goals in a superb "terrorising" display for his Scottish club Hibernian, another throwback performance that bodes well for the Socceroos.
The 31-year-old Australia international was at the centre of Hibs' terrific comeback at home to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday with his double dragging them back from 2-0 down to 2-2 before the teams went on to share a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Looking fit and sharp for the full 90 minutes, Boyle was still going strong at the end of a pulsating encounter, driving at the heart of the Rangers' defence and curling one last chance just wide as he attempted to emulate the famous hat-trick he scored against the same opponents in the Scottish League Cup semi in 2021.
An emphatic penalty from @MartinBoyle9 has us level at Easter Road! ⚽️
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) January 5, 2025
‘Mon the Hibs!pic.twitter.com/omONOzV1Ed
It capped such an excellent performance by the Scottish-born winger that his old manager at Hibs Neil Lennon, talking on Sky Sports, reckoned Boyle was back to his very best following the knee surgery that he required when missing out on the Qatar World Cup with injury.
The Scottish-born winger's resurgence, which really took flight with his goal and assist in their 3-1 win at Aberdeen before Christmas, could really prove good news for the Socceroos, who face their key World Cup group matches in March with qualification still in the balance.
"He's had to deal with his injuries and setbacks but he's responded the right way," said Hibs' current boss David Gray, heaping praise on Hibs' man-of-the-match.
"He had to find himself not in the starting eleven, which has probably not happened to him whilst he's been at Hibs for a while now, but he's shown that character, to keep working hard, to wait for his opportunity.
"He's got back into the team and he's playing with that belief and confidence in himself again, where he terrorises his defenders and puts heat into them with his running power and pace. I think you've seen that today."
Boyle shone in a remarkable game at Easter Road in which even Hamza Igamane's brilliant hat-trick wasn't enough to secure victory for the visitors.
Igamane put them 2-0 up early on but Boyle sparked the initial fightback, first firing home expertly with his left foot after defender Ricky Bushiri had teed him up in the box with a neat lay-off.
Rocky Bushiri sets up Martin Boyle to get us back in the game 💪⚽️pic.twitter.com/Cj3BBI3Pbn
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) January 5, 2025
He then equalised on the hour with a blistering spot kick straight down the middle after Josh Campbell had been fouled by Ianis Hagi.
Igamane restored Gers' lead before Bushiri headed home an 83rd minute equaliser from a corner.
Hibs' other Socceroo Lewis Miller nearly got in on the goalscoring act too, the defender having one fine shot saved and then also heading against the post.
Gray said Boyle had grown into a leadership role at the club, after he had asked the fun-loving winger "to really show and lead by example because of his level of performance, but also his character around the dressing room every single day."
"I think you could clearly see today, that was there for everyone to see, which is great," added the manager.
Later on Sunday, Celtic bounced back from Thursday's defeat to Rangers, beating St Mirren 3-0 to move 13 points clear at the top of the table.
