Martin Boyle sets Hibs return target but isn't ready to act his age despite new dressing room status

Martin Boyle has revealed he is planning to be fit for the start of Hibs’ European adventure.

The Australia forward has not featured since the tail end of last October after suffering what turned out to be a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury. That set-back also shattered the 30-year-old’s dream of playing at the World Cup in Qatar. But Boyle has put in extra shifts during the close season and plans to be available to boss Lee Johnson for the Europa Conference League second qualifying round first leg clash against either Vikingur or Inter Club D’Escaldes on July 27.

Boyle said: “Is Europe the target? I am hoping so. It’s hard to set targets and get too excited when the physio team is on your back but I need to keep working hard and get myself up to full fitness and full strength. Hopefully, I can play some part in the pre-season games and then, hopefully, show that I’m ready for Europe.

“Because I have been in the whole summer and loaded myself up we are kinda tapering my training a bit. The lads are just getting back into the swing of things so I’m just building things up, getting a bit stronger and participating in training in the hope I can participate in the games that are coming up.

“In terms of learning the game more, and understanding things, I’m a wee bit older and I can take all that on board. I came back stronger after my last surgeries so I kind of know what to expect.

“They are different operations and this one was a little bit more complicated and it needed a bit more time. But I am working as hard as I can to get back and the gaffer knows how near I am and he has told me to stay patient and keep working hard.”

While Boyle’s team-mates enjoyed a well earned break as last season came to an end