Martin Boyle hails 'perfect' Hibs comeback as Conference League shocker is put to bed in second leg

Martin Boyle hailed the “perfect” comeback after his quickfire double helped Hibs bury their Escaldes horror and book a Conference League qualifying trip to Luzern.

Boyle only got the nod to start hours before kick off but blasted back from over nine months on the sidelines with an ACL injury as Hibs put last week’s shocker on the continent to bed with a 6-1 thrashing of the minnows to secure a 7-3 aggregate win. The 30-year-old speed machine took no time to remind fans what they’d been missing as he struck twice in the opening 22 minutes to fire a warning to Premiership defences ahead of Sunday’s league curtain raiser against St Mirren.

A beaming Boyle revealed he even talked Lee Johnson into keeping him on for an extra 10 minutes after the break as he chased his hat-trick. But he said of his double: “That was perfect. He should have taken me off after that!

“There were rumours (about me starting). The managerial team speak to the physios and they have a discussion. But I only found out before the game

“You've always got to be ready and to prepare well. Thankfully I was able to start and make an impact.

“It was nice to get the buzz back. It was supposed to be 45 again but I had a word with the gaffer trying to push for that hat-trick!

“It was nice to get minutes. The victory was the most important thing and we go again Sunday.

“It’s about matches and minutes now. I haven’t had much during pre-season, in terms of the injury it is in the back of my mind.

“I don’t think about it. And if I keep performing like tonight and getting goals then happy days.

“It’s positive tonight. Last week was disappointing but we have put that to bed.

“It’s nice to qualify and we’ll dust ourselves down. We’ve gelled well nicely and we’ll go