Jimmy Jeggo has hailed the return of ‘massive weapon’ Martin Boyle as Hibernian look to shoot their way back from the brink to reach the next round in Europe.
Boyle made his comeback after nine months out following knee surgery with a 45-minute run-out in Saturday’s 3-0 friendly defeat to Blackpool.
The 30-year-old has admitted he is ‘champing at the bit’ to play some part in Thursday’s second-leg showdown against Inter Club d’Escaldes.
After an embarrassing 2-1 defeat in Andorra, Hibs desperately need some inspiration to avoid a shameful early exit against the part-timers.
And Jeggo is convinced the sight of Boyle back on the pitch after so long on the sidelines is a huge boost for Lee Johnson’s side.
Jeggo said: “It’s massive to have him back. Everyone knows what he brings to the team and how much of a weapon he is for us.
“He's been champing at the bit to get out there, he’s looked really sharp in training, and the 45 minutes against Blackpool will have been good for him.
“We see him in training, we know what he’s capable of, everyone else knows what he’s capable of, and it’s really important for us because he’s going to be a massive weapon for us this season.
“Hopefully, if the staff think he’s ready, he can really have an impact over the next couple of weeks.
“When you’ve been out for so long and you’re right at the end you’re just desperate to get over the line and I think the most important thing is that he feels confident in himself and in his body.
“From what we’ve seen he’s looking really good. But it’s one of those that you just have to leave to the medical staff and the coaching staff to make the decision when to throw him in.
“But it's a massive positive for us that he got 45 minutes. He’s looking sharp and we’re looking forward to having him back and scoring goals for us.”
Jeggo missed out on the starting XI for the first-leg against Inter but was introduced on the hour mark and injected some urgency into the lacklustre Easter Road side.
But whilst almost all of those who played in Andorra - and did not return to Edinburgh until 5 am on Friday morning - were relaxing at home, the Australian was quickly on the road again to captain a youthful Hibs team against Blackpool.
The 31-year-old admits it was an opportunity for him to stick his hand up for a key role in Thursday’s make-or-break second-leg as he and his team-mates seek a ‘big reaction’.
He added: “In every game and every training session you’re trying to impress.
“If you’re not in the starting XI, it’s always in the back of your mind to try to push your way back in through your performances in training and in games.
“And if you are in the starting XI then you need to perform to stay there. It’s part and parcel of it all.
“I think off the back of a result and performance like Thursday there are always going to be places up for grabs.
“It was about us going to Blackpool, everyone getting what they needed out of the game, and boys putting their best foot forward.
“Whoever plays on Thursday, it’s a massive game for us and a must-win, and we have to be ready to hit the ground running and turn the tie around.
“As soon as the game finished on Thursday night everyone’s thought process was, ‘we need a big performance and a big reaction and show of character in the second-leg’.
“We need to go out there on Thursday and put in a real performance and turn this thing around.”
