Socceroos coach Graham Arnold impressed with Martin Boyle

Graham Arnold has revealed that Socceroo-in-waiting Martin Boyle turned down a last-minute approach from Scotland.

Hibernian forward Martin Boyle is likely to see his first action with the Socceroos next month.

Graham Arnold has revealed Socceroo-in-waiting Martin Boyle turned down an approach from Scotland to commit his international future to Australia.

Boyle, 25, is one of a number of new faces called into a 25-man Socceroos squad in preparation for a friendly against Kuwait in Kuwait City on October 15, in what will be Arnold’s first game in charge since taking over in July.

Melbourne Victory defender Thomas Deng and Europe-based duo Denis Genreau (PEC Zwolle, the Netherlands) and Awer Mabil (FC Midtjylland, Denmark) are also in line to make their first Socceroos appearances as Arnold looks to rejuvenate the national team after the retirements of Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill.

But it is the selection of Scotland-based Boyle, mooted by The Australian several weeks ago, that has captured the imagination.

Boyle, who was born in Aberdeen, is an exciting attacker who plays for Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League. He came into the spotlight when it was discovered his father was born in Australia.

Arnold made a trip to speak with him recently and watched him train and play. He came away “very impressed” with Boyle’s qualities on and off the field.

“He is an exciting player, someone you can give the ball to, isolate one v one, trust him to go past players and then deliver great crosses,” Arnold said. “He can score goals as well; works very hard and is extremely fit.

“I sat down with him and he is a great character who will fit into the Australian way.”

Arnold said Scotland manager Alex McLeish had spoken with Boyle, who has scored 21 goals in 99 appearances with Hibs, about committing to Scotland.

“He got a call from McLeish, who wanted to stop him from playing for Australia, but Martin turned him down after speaking with me to be with us,” Arnold said.

Boyle will go into camp with the Socceroos on Sunday and although he will train for the week, Arnold said he wouldn’t take part against Kuwait because his international clearance wouldn’t be through in time.

But Arnold expects that to be sorted by next month, when Australia will have friendlies against South Korea and Lebanon.

Arnold also revealed veteran Mark Milligan, also at Hibernian, has also committed to the Socceroos at least up until the Asian Cup in January. There had been talk he would retire from international football after the World Cup in Russia three months ago.

“I’ve spoken to Millsy. I told him to take his time and not make any rash decisions,” Arnold said. “He has been doing really well at Hibs and he still has a lot to offer as a centre back for us.

“He is fully committed to this (Asian Cup) campaign.”

Milligan will be one of the contenders for the Socceroos captaincy following Jedinak’s decision to retire from international soccer this week.

However, Arnold says he is in no rush to decide on Jedinak’s replacement. He says the other contenders include Trent Sainsbury, who is favourite, Mathew Leckie, Maty Ryan and Robbie Kruse.

“We have got two camps and three games and I plan to use different players as captain to see who settles into the role,” he said.

“I saw some good signs in Turkey (in regards to leadership).

“It’s a huge role and I know the importance people place on it in terms of leadership and the role-model side of it, so it will be a decision I will take my time with to ensure I get it right.”