Socceroo Boyle makes dream return for Hibs

Australia striker Martin Boyle has made an immediate impact for Hibernian, stepping off the bench to score a 95th-minute equaliser against Hearts.

Fans' favourite Martin Boyle enjoyed a fairytale return to Hibernian as he came off the bench to score a late equaliser against arch-rivals Hearts in front of a full house at Easter Road.

Martin Boyle Hibs Return

Martin Boyle re-signed with Hibernian on Saturday.
The Socceroo had been with Saudi Arabian club Al Faisaly for seven months.
He scored the equalizer against Hearts on Sunday.

More Australian football news can be found on FTBL.

Lawrence Shankland's first competitive goal for the Jambos looked as if it was going to be enough to secure a third Edinburgh derby victory in succession for the visitors.

But Boyle, who has returned just seven months after leaving in a lucrative transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al Faisaly, struck with the last kick of the game, sparking a mini pitch invasion from the jubilant home support.

Manager Lee Johnson hailed Boyle's "Roy of the Rovers" return.

The 29-year-old Australia international only signed for Hibs on Saturday.

And after being introduced as a 62nd-minute sub, Boyle sparked bedlam inside a packed Easter Road as he struck with the last kick of the game.

🇦🇺🤯💪🏼 WOW!! Having received clearance to play hours before kick-off, @Socceroos star @MartinBoyle9 returned to haunt @JamTarts in the #EdinburghDerby, with a sensational equaliser in the dying moments of stoppage time! | #HIBHEA Highlights 👉 https://t.co/ZliN3HB1ky pic.twitter.com/L9u7D7zsTS
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_AUS) August 7, 2022

"It's Roy of the Rovers stuff, isn't it?" said manager Johnson. "If you wrote a comic book strip and he was the star of the show, I'm not sure you could write it better than that.

"He's buzzing, but the boys were buzzing as well when we told them yesterday (that he had signed)."

Boyle had not played for six weeks prior to his Easter Road return and Johnson admits he had to weigh up whether to include him in the squad.

"It was about 9pm last night," he said after being asked when he knew Boyle would be eligible.

"There was a bit of deliberation about whether I should play him, from one particular key figure at the club who didn't think I should, but I will remind him gently - very, very gently - that that's my role!"

Shankland put Hearts ahead in the 21st minute when he shot through the legs of goalkeeper David Marshall.

Livingston secured their first Premiership win of the season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.

Cristian Montano scored the only goal of the game - his first for the club - early in the second half.

It was a disappointing defeat for the home side, who take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their Europa Conference League third qualifying round tie against AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands on Thursday.

Montano broke the deadlock in the 49th minute. Australian goalkeeper Mark Birighitti did well to block a shot from Joel Nouble, but when the ball fell to Montano he fired a thunderous 20-yard shot past the keeper.