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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Sport
Blair Meikle

Martin Boyle reveals what he doesn't miss from Hibs and Scottish football as he details upsetting chats with daughter

Martin Boyle doesn't miss the hard tackles and fan abuse that come with playing in Scottish football.

The winger left Hibs for Al-Faisaly in Saudi Arabia during the January transfer window.

The 28-year-old had previously spent his entire career in Scotland and has noticed the game is a bit different in the Middle East.

He's also found it challenging being away from his young family.

"I don’t miss all the crunching tackles I got every Saturday playing for Hibs, and the abuse from fans,” he told the Football Australia podcast.

“It’s a bit more timid in Saudi Arabia. I’ve been on the end of a few challenges but I think they just play on here.

"I’m not complaining though, I’m one of those players who just gets on with it.

"It’s a competitive league in Scotland and there are a lot of big guys running around so I don’t miss that side of it.

“I left Scotland for the last international camp and haven’t returned, so I never got home to pack up some stuff and say proper goodbyes.

"It’s been a massive change for me and my family but I’ve adapted quite well, I’m fairly enjoying it and I’ve settled in quite well. I’m still in touch with family each day.

"It’s difficult for Rachael and Amelia but we have my parents, her parents, and all our friends supporting us, and me keeping in touch every day.

"I imagine it will get more difficult the bigger [Amelia] gets and the longer the pregnancy goes on.

"It’s not been easy on Rachael but I’m sure it’ll get better. When I go back in the summer, hopefully I can spend a lot of time there and get a steady plan together for when I can come back and visit. She’s happy at the moment and we’re delighted the family’s getting bigger.”

Weekly conversations with daughter Amelia can be upsetting being so far, Boyle admitted. But Boyle Jnr is certainly demanding when it comes to the goal tally she expects from dad.

He added: "My daughter tells me every week how many goals she wants Daddy to score. Sometimes she’ll say ‘five’, which is unachievable, sometimes it’ll be one or two,” Boyle revealed.

"It’s nice – if I don’t score as many as she asks me to score she calls me rubbish, so I get a laugh out of it but it motivates me to do well too.

"She couldn’t get to a lot of the games during Covid-19 but she loves coming onto the pitch.

"She keeps asking when she can come and watch Daddy play which is a little bit upsetting at the moment but I’m sure in the near future she can come out here and see everything and come to one of the games.

"If we can get the time and they can come to Australia for a game that would be fantastic.”

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