Martin Boyle opens up on life in Saudi Arabia and says Hibs return is off if Ryan Porteous is made captain

When he left Hibernian in January, Martin Boyle made it clear he would not rule out a homecoming later in his career.

“It’s not goodbye it’s see you later,” he posted on social media, while he was even more transparent when he told Hibs TV that he hoped he could return one day.

Hibs harbour similar sentiments, including a buy-back clause in the deal with Saudi Arabian side Al Faisaly.

However, now settled into life in Harmah City, Boyle jokes his plans might change if his buddy and fellow training-ground jester Ryan Porteous has been promoted to club captain by then.

“I tell you one thing, if he is captain, I will not be going back,” laughs Boyle. “I will go back to Montrose instead because I am not giving him the chance to take fine money off me!

“To be fair, Paul Hanlon and Lewy Stevenson will probably be on to their second testimonials by then, so there’s no way he will have the armband.”

After so many years at Hibs, a place where he developed from the football equivalent of Road Runner to a more rounded and influential international player with his sights on World Cup involvement, Boyle is unable to step away from the banter and the goings-on at a club he parted with on good terms.

He has not missed a match yet, tuning in from afar.

And, although he had to be kicked out of the official WhatsApp team chat – “some people write long leaving messages but I kept mine short and sharp and got out of there” – the many side groups allow him to keep in touch.

However, while he misses family and friends, “and I know that they miss me too, which is nice”, he has no regrets about moving on.

Just more than a month after joining, the forward has enjoyed just one victory, leaving new club Al Faisaly embroiled in a relegation battle.