‘Privileged’ Scot Martin Boyle hungry to improve on impressive full Socceroos debut against Lebanon

The lean, bearded son of a Balmain-born truck driver took a chance, ran at whatever was in front of him and stumbled upon an adopted nation offering a path to a fruitful international career.

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Had you suggested a few months back that Martin Boyle would soon be playing for a country he’d never been to, he would have laughed in your face.

Never mind two goals and an assist on full debut.

But then, the lean, bearded son of a Balmain-born truck driver would have taken a chance, run at whatever’s in front of him and stumbled upon an adopted nation offering a path to a fruitful international career.

Martin Boyle is congratulated by Tim Cahill after his two-goal show.

A similarly direct approach got Boyle two goals and an assist against Lebanon on Tuesday, and the Hibs flyer has no intention of looking back.

That’s no great surprise, given his Socceroos introduction has been well beyond the realms of expectation.

“It’s not really sunk in yet,” Boyle said.

“If someone told me this was going to happen five months ago I would have laughed at you.

“This is a bit surreal at the moment, I’m just taking it day by day.

“I’m really privileged the point I’m at and I’ll keep working hard in training and games, and I can only get better.”

Martin Boyle taps home his second goal in the Socceroos’ big win.

The confidence to play his usual game in an unfamiliar set-up is part of what’s so encouraging about Boyle’s inauguration.

And it wasn’t just the goals. His general pace and mobility add an element of unpredictability to Graham Arnold’s new attacking system that could be an ace against Asian Cup defenders come January.

“It felt natural,” Boyle said.

“Arnie just said to go out there and do my best, do what I normally do. Don’t try and do anything spectacular, just play my normal game.

“That’s what I did. I like to be positive, take players on and score goals.

“I’m out here to do a job and represent the country and I’ll give 110 per cent every time I step on that field.

“Arnie came over, he took a chance on me and no one else did. And I’m grateful for what he did.

“If he didn’t take the journey and see me I wouldn’t be here.”

It’s well-documented Arnold watched Boyle train with his club during a September visit to see teammates Mark Milligan and Jamie Maclaren in Edinburgh, and witnessed enough to sell the Scottish-born 25-year-old the Australian dream.

By that point Scotland’s belated overtures were falling on deaf ears, and Boyle knew in the back of his mind he was destined to re-trace his father’s roots.

His Socceroos team initiation – a rendition of Advance Australia Fair and, on Monday night, a shirt presentation by retired legend Tim Cahill – were the moments he really felt at home in green and gold.

He’s not quite yet a Tigers fan, as one of press pack member enquired, but he did hope to explore Balmain before flying home.

Martin Boyle kept the smiles on the Socceroos’ faces with his performance.

The fact Boyle’s phone is “blowing up with messages” of support from back in Scotland tells him he’s made the right move.

“My fiancee is flooding with tears, she’s proud,” he said.

“I’ve got a nine-week-old baby at home and my daughter is extremely proud as well - she fell asleep in the second half.

“When I get on the flight home it’ll all just come flooding back, but I’m extremely proud to represent this country.

“The emotions are flying at the moment.”

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Originally published as ‘Privileged’ Scot Martin Boyle hungry to improve on impressive full Socceroos debut against Lebanon