Devastating Knee Injury Sidelines Hibs’ Star Forward
Hibernian FC’s attacking dynamo Martin Boyle faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery that will keep him out for the remainder of the current season. The 29-year-old Australian international, who made an emotional return to Easter Road in August following a brief stint with Saudi club Al-Faisaly, suffered the injury during Hibs’ convincing 3-0 victory over St Mirren in October.
What makes this injury particularly cruel is that Boyle had been selected for Australia’s World Cup squad despite the knee issue. Medical examinations in Qatar revealed the full extent of the damage – a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that required immediate surgical intervention. The speedy winger has now begun his rehabilitation process with hopes of returning stronger for the 2023-24 campaign.
Hibs Manager Expresses Support for Boyle
Lee Johnson, Hibernian’s manager, didn’t hide his disappointment about losing his star player: “It’s been a tough few weeks for Martin and we’re all gutted for him. Now, it’s up to us to rally around him and make sure we support him on every level throughout his recovery.”
Johnson drew parallels with Kevin Nisbet’s successful return from injury, adding: “Short term – it is a big blow for us, but we will do everything we can to support Martin to make sure he comes back fitter, stronger and a better player than before, just like Kevin Nisbet has shown in his recovery.”
Captain Marshall Addresses Team’s Poor Form
As Hibernian prepares for their return to Scottish Premiership action against Rangers on December 15 (live on Mcw), captain David Marshall has been brutally honest about the team’s recent performances.
Marshall acknowledges the team needs to improve after a disappointing run of results
“It has been a poor run of results from us so it’s probably come at the wrong time,” Marshall admitted. “The last six games have been really disappointing as we’d put ourselves in a strong position before that. There’s no doubt we need to improve.”
The veteran goalkeeper didn’t shy away from the club’s ambitions: “This club should be looking to finish as the third team in Scotland and we put that pressure on us. We deserve the stick we’ve received but there’s a lot of football to be played in which we can turn around our fortunes.”
Crucial Fixtures Ahead for Hibernian
Hibs face a challenging schedule in the coming weeks, with matches against both Old Firm clubs looming large:
- December 15: Rangers vs Hibernian
- December 28: Hibernian vs Celtic
- January 8: Motherwell vs Hibernian
These fixtures could define Hibernian’s season as they currently sit eighth in the table after losing six of their last seven matches. The absence of Boyle‘s creativity and goal threat will undoubtedly make their task more difficult.
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Road to Recovery for Boyle
While Hibs focus on improving their league position, all eyes will be on Boyle’s rehabilitation process. ACL injuries typically require 6-9 months of recovery, meaning the Australian international faces a race against time to be ready for the start of next season. His absence leaves a significant void in Hibernian’s attack, having contributed four goals since his return to the club.
For the latest updates on Martin Boyle’s recovery and Hibernian’s quest to climb the Scottish Premiership table, keep checking Mcw for exclusive insights and expert analysis.
