Martin Boyle taking new Hibs stand-in skipper role seriously as Easter Road funny man insists he can 'flick a switch'

Hibs prankster Martin Boyle knows he’s got a reputation for nonsense off the pitch.

But the stand-in Leith skipper reckons Sunday’s rescue mission against Rangers proves he’s deadly serious about his new leadership role on it. With club captain Joe Newell out injured, Boyle has taken over the armband for the Easter Road outfit’s last two games.

For some, it’s a surprise choice given Boyle’s well-known love of capers and a carry on with his team-mates. Boss David Gray even admitted that if it had been suggested that Boyle would end up one day leading out the team back when he sat next to him in the Hibs dressing room, he’d have laughed in your face. But Philippe Clement’s men didn’t find it funny as Boyle put on a true captain’s performance to help his team snatch a draw in Sunday’s 3-3 thriller.

It was the Aussie international's double that saw the capital club recover from two goals down, with Rocky Bushiri adding a third after Hamza Igamane wrapped up a Rangers hat-trick. Asked if he’d had to curb his mischievous side, Boyle grinned as he said: “I’m just the same guy as I normally am.

“A lot of people don't take me seriously around the place, but look, I've never changed who I am. When I cross that white line, I can flick a switch.

“A lot of people will probably find that hard to believe, but I do my talking on the pitch. I try to lead by example on the pitch. I'm working hard in training, as I do every season. Hopefully, I can lead by example that way. There's loads of leaders in our changing room.

“We've got Gayle, Junior Hoilett. There's loads of experienced boys in there. It's not just me getting thrown in. It is an honour to also be captain of the club, but rightfully, Joe's the captain. If I can help in any way,