Lee Johnson reckons funny man Martin Boyle is so good at lifting the mood around Easter Road he could do a nifty sideline at the Fringe.
The Hibs boss admitted the defeat at Livingston at the weekend was no laughing matter but the cameo from the returning attacker suggested it won’t be long before the fans are smiling again. Boyle is still building his match fitness after missing out on a pre-season while he sorted out his Edinburgh comeback from Saudi Arabia.
But he’s getting closer by the day and his manager is convinced he can entertain the squad and shine on the big stage. Johnson said: “He’s just bouncing around. He is just funny. He has these quick one liners. Bojang had sat on his table today but then saw Lewis Miller sat on his own so Bojang went to sit with Lewis Miller and all I could hear was Boyler shouting: ‘That’s not good enough, you don’t want to sit with me then?’ That’s a very small incident, it's those type of things, then all of a sudden it’s part of the conversation. He is over there talking about a Croatian, an Australian and a Gambian sat at the same table then he is making jokes, ‘A Gambian, blah blah’, that sounds like an Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman.
“It’s like going to the Fringe and seeing someone like him interact with the crowd, a comedian. I’m always shaking my head or laughing.” The Hibs start to the season has been more a drama than a comedy so far with Premier Sports Cup pain and Premiership promise before the slip up at Livi.
Johnson has built a young squad though that may take time to settle – but that’s where Boyle can have a key role. The boss said: “The atmosphere has risen, from the moment I'd told the lads that I'd signed him, you could feel it. We were training at Easter Road and everyone was buzzing - it's a lift. Obviously the new players don't know him, but they are interested to see the quality that he brings.
“They then lift their game. You can feel the fan buzz behind it. But it's a new regime for him, he's got to learn a new philosophy. It’s like when you put an old sofa in the garage, but when you need it you bring it back out. It was seamless. He’s part of the furniture around here anyway.
“Although he is part of the furniture he has to earn his stripes and I think he knows that as I pick the team based on merit.”
The Boyle bounce will be needed as the Hibs young team can’t afford to go in to their shells like they did in West Lothian.
It was rabbits in headlights stuff in the first half at the Tony Macaroni as the streetwise Lions were too strong.
More than a few of the Hibs side seemed shocked by the intensity, and even though there was an improvement after some half-time harsh truths, David Martindale’s men were too powerful.
Johnson’s appearance after the break helped change the tone but Johnson hopes the attacker's off the field routine can bring a few of the kids out in to the light.
He said: “But you see him in and around the place, he’s like a jack in the box, he’s got so much energy. He brings a lot out of other players and the staff.
“We’ve got a lot of talented young players here. You don’t want to suppress their personalities and anyone who can bring them out is good value for me.
“If you’re brilliant at one on one chats and have that leadership quality, bring it.
“I had a chat with one player yesterday who I didn’t feel was bringing his personality.
“Whether you are playing or not does not define you. Young players think that. On a human level, bring what you’ve got and on a football level that will only come out more.
“We want to create a nice, comfortable vibe. You can say those words but you need the people to be active in enhancing that culture.”
Johnson is trying to change the culture at Easter Road but he admitted it’s still early days.
Saturday at Livi was a crash course in the pitfalls of Scottish football and he’ll need his side to get wise sharpish as Rangers are coming to town this weekend.
The Light Blues might have their minds on the Champions League but Hibs can’t afford a repeat of the limp Lions show or they’ll be in for a long afternoon.
Johnson didn’t pull his punches at the weekend and he’s hoping the message was received.
He said: “I can only be honest with our supporters, who were fantastic and fully behind us until the end – there’s clearly a lot to work on.”
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