Socceroos winger Martin Boyle to miss matches against Lebanon after ‘very scary’ fall

The Socceroos will be without one of their key attacking weapons for this month’s two matches against Lebanon.

Socceroos star Martin Boyle has been ruled out of Australia’s two upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lebanon as he recovers from the “very scary” injury he suffered playing for his Scottish club Hibernian.

Boyle landed on his head after falling awkwardly from an aerial battle with John Souttar, the brother of Socceroos defender Harry Souttar, in Hibs’ 2-0 Scottish Cup quarter-final weekend loss to Rangers.

The 30-year-old winger was stretchered off the ground and taken to hospital.

Hibs manager Nick Montgomery, who guided the Central Coast Mariners to last season’s A-League title, told the BBC that a “groggy” Boyle was now back at home and had avoided a neck injury.

Martin Boyle (10) is checked on by concerned players after hitting his head on the turf. Picture: Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images

“Fortunately he’s had the X-rays and scans and (it’s) nothing but a concussion,” Montgomery said.

“Fingers crossed, he makes a speedy recovery.”

However, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold confirmed the recovery would not be quick enough for Boyle to play in the Socceroos’ matches against Lebanon on Thursday week and March 26 in Sydney and Canberra respectively.

“He’s out of these two Lebanon games,” Arnold said on Tuesday in Perth for the announcement of a Socceroos match against Palestine on June 11 at HBF Park.

“It was very scary to see. He’s still quite ill in bed.”

“I’ve got my medical staff, we’re always speaking with him, and at Hibs in Scotland he’s got great medical staff as well, but our concern immediately is about his health and making sure he’s OK.”

Arnold is set to announce his squad for the matches against Lebanon on Thursday, with Perth Glory striker Adam Taggart in strong contention to be recalled to the national team.

The Socceroos – who also have an away match with Bangladesh five days before their June meeting with Palestine – top Group I in the second round of AFC World Cup qualifiers with six points from two matches.

The top two teams from each of the nine groups will progress to the third round of World Cup qualifiers, as well as secure spots in the 2027 Asian Cup.

Arnold said it would be “great” for the Socceroos to play in Perth for first time since beating Iraq 2-0 at HBF Park in September 2016.

The Socceroos celebrate a goal during their 2-0 win over Iraq in Perth in September, 2016. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

“We love any chance to play in front of a home crowd and it’ll be great to be back to Western Australia for the first time in eight years,” Socceroos coach Arnold.

“HBF Park is a fantastic football venue that will provide a great atmosphere for this match against Palestine.

“I often speak about the energy that our home fans bring to these sorts of games and just how much it can benefit the players.

“As a group we’ve set high standards throughout the qualification process, and we’re looking to finish the second round in the strongest way possible.”

Originally published as Socceroos winger Martin Boyle to miss matches against Lebanon after ‘very scary’ fall