Martin Boyle re-discovered some of his best form following a scratchy campaign, scoring one goal and setting up two others in Hibernian’s 3-1 win at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
Boyle has been prolific in recent seasons for Hibs but has been in-and-out of their starting line-up this campaign as they’ve struggled.
However, Boyle found form, helping Hibs find a rare victory on Saturday.
The Aussie winger swooped on a poor Aberdeen clearance to run into the box and square for Elie Youan to score in the 18th minute.
In the 35th minute, Boyle was the provider again, cutting the ball back for Nicky Cadden to fire home.
Four minutes into the second half, Aussie Nectar Triantis stole possession and laid off for Boyle to coolly convert for 3-1.
Hibernian head coach David Gray told BBC Sport: “Martin Boyle was excellent, he contributed to every goal. He’s had to be patient, keep working hard but he’s responded the way you want a player to react. He’s never let his head go down and as you saw today he’s very effective at this level.”
Boyle put in a full shift, along with Aussies Jack Iredale and Triantis. Lewis Miller was a 51st minute sub.
After the game, Boyle told BBC Sport: “I’m happy to contribute, I always give my all for this club and hopefully that can continue.
“I felt fresh. Thankfully the manager picked me, I’ve been working hard and hopefully I can keep that up. I just need to keep working hard. I was out of the team, I had to be patient. I’ve still got belief in myself that I can be the player everyone thinks I am.”
Edinburgh Evening News also rated Boyle 8.5/10 and wrote: “A brilliantly taken goal AND a pair of assists for the Socceroos star, who was at his mischievous best in a first start since early November. Man of the Match.”
Cammy Devlin produced an 8/10 display to help Hearts get past St Johnstone 2-1 on Sunday.
Devlin put in a full shift and was rated 8/10 by Edinburgh Evening News who wrote: “Terrific commitment, a constant driving force.
“Passed confidently, protected the ball and was fouled several times. Booking was the only negative.”
Kye Rowles played a full game in defence and was rated 7/10: “Organised and led by example at the back. Read the play well to stifle danger.”
Jackson Irvine claimed an inadvertent assist for St Pauli’s winner in a 1-0 victory away to VfB Stuttgart in the German Bundesliga on Saturday.
Irvine, who put in a full shift, saw a scuffed clearance deflect off him and into Johannes Eggestein’s path to fire home the loan goal in the 21st minute.
The result means St Pauli are up to 14th, four points above the bottom three.
In the Dutch Eredivisie, Max Balard put in a full shift in NAC Breda’s 2-1 loss away to Go Ahead Eagles.
In the Coupe de France, Denis Genreau made a rare start, playing 66 minutes, in Toulouse’s 4-2 shootout win over Hauts Lyonnais following a 0-0 draw.
In the Belgian Pro League on Friday, Jordan Bos played a full game in Westerlo’s 1-1 home draw with Mechelen.
In the English Premier League, Cameron Burgess played a full game but earned only a 4/10 in Ipswich Town’s 4-0 home loss to Newcastle.
East Anglian Daily Times wrote: “Played too high in some key moments. Didn’t look anywhere near as confident compared to his recent performances.”
In the English Championship, Harry Souttar played a full game and helped leaders Sheffield United to a 2-0 victory away to Cardiff City.
Souttar was rated 7/10 by The Star for his performance, simply describing him as “colossal”.
Alex Robertson started and played 83 minutes in midfield for Cardiff.
Wales Online rated Robertson 5/10 and wrote: “Didn’t have much scope to stretch his creative legs considering the type of match and Cardiff’s game plan. Looked leggy later on.”
Riley McGree started and played 75 minutes in Middlesbrough’s 3-3 draw at Plymouth Argyle. Tom Glover was an unused substitute.
McGree was rated 4/10 by Evening Gazette, who wrote: “Offered next to nothing in attack while leaving Borges completely exposed at the back.
“Bali Mumba was allowed to get forward and cause problems all afternoon and Boro didn’t ever seem to wise up to it.”
Sam Silvera was an unused sub for Portsmouth’s 4-1 home win over Coventry.
Others
Full games
Jason Davidson (Panserraikos), Ryan Strain (Dundee United), Fran Karacic (Lokomotiva), Nicholas Bilokapic (Peterborough), Gethin Jones (Bolton), Callum Elder (Derby County), Jacob Chapman (Huddersfield), Ash Maynard-Brewer (Charlton)
Minutes
Ajdin Hrustic – SB 65 (Salernitana), Aiden O’Neill – ST 83 (Standard Liege), Anthony Kalik – ST 60 (Hajduk Split), Josh Nisbet – ST 69 (Ross County), Keanu Baccus – ST 88 (Mansfield), Caleb Watts – SB 94 (Exeter City)
Unused subs
Mat Ryan (AS Roma)
