Martin Boyle thrilled for boss David Gray following Hibernian’s upturn in form

Martin Boyle is delighted to see his long-time former team-mate David Gray winning over the sceptics who doubted he was equipped to become Hibernian boss.

The 36-year-old endured a chastening start after being appointed manager in the summer, with Hibs winning only one of their opening 14 league games this term and flirting with the bottom of the William Hill Premiership table.

Gray’s job appeared in jeopardy following a 2-1 defeat at home to St Mirren in November but since he was given a vote of confidence from the board, the Hibees have embarked on a run of just one defeat in nine matches to climb to seventh.

Boyle, who first became a Hibs team-mate of Gray’s 10 years ago this month, is thrilled to see the rookie manager’s diligence paying off.

“I’m absolutely delighted for him and the coaching staff,” Boyle said. “It’s brilliant. He deserves it, he works tirelessly every day.

“The attention to detail is spot-on. It didn’t quite go the way we wanted it to go, but as players we have to take responsibility for the start of the season.

“It wasn’t good enough in individual errors, but now I think everyone would run for a brick wall for him and hopefully we can continue that.”

Boyle’s return to form and prominence after an injury-plagued start to the season has helped Hibs in recent weeks. He was particularly influential in the 3-1 win at Aberdeen just before Christmas and scored twice in Sunday’s 3-3 draw at home to Rangers.

“Speaking now, it wasn’t ideal at the start of the season, stop-start,” he said of a period when a wrist problem and a hip issue held him back.

“I had a big cast on, got a bone graft in my hip. It was playing up, but now I’m really finding my feet, changing position and have a lot more freedom.

“I feel I can get around the pitch more, pressing with intensity. I’ve been working really hard.

“I just didn’t enjoy sitting on the bench either, that really hits home. When you get that opportunity in your shirt, you have to keep it.”

Boyle, 31, has captained Hibs in recent matches in the absence of regular skipper Joe Newell through injury.

“I do my talking on the pitch, I try to lead by example on the pitch,” he said.

“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 there, we’ve got Dwight Gayle, Junior Hoilett, there’s loads of experienced boys in there.

“It is an honour to captain the club. Rightfully, Joe’s the captain but if I can help in any way, then perfect.”

Hibs supporters have been revelling in a recent run that has included big wins away to Aberdeen and Hearts and dramatic 3-3 draws at home to both the Dons and the Gers, and Boyle is delighted to have the fans onside again after a fraught start to the campaign.

“The connection is there, 100 per cent,” he said. “The following has always been there. At the start of the season, it was kind of disconnected and rightly so because we weren’t performing to the best of our ability.

“Now we’re starting to turn it around. The atmosphere on Sunday was brilliant.

“I’ve been here nearly a decade and when we’re winning games here, there’s no better place, there’s no better atmosphere, believe me. That’s what we tried to instil into the new players that came in. When this place is jumping, it’s unbelievable.”