Shaun Maloney will bid Martin Boyle a fond farewell after Thursday night's Scottish Cup clash with Cove Rangers.
But the boss is adamant he doesn’t have to worry about Kevin Nisbet’s ability to carry the hopes of the Hibs support in the Aussie international’s absence.
Maloney revealed he’s known for a fortnight Australia would call up Boyle for the World Cup qualifiers that will take him out of the picture for crucial league outings against Motherwell, Livingston and Hearts.
And while Nisbet has come in for criticism after missing a sitter against Celtic on Monday, Maloney has no qualms about the striker’s ability to bounce back and reduce the impact of Boyle’s absence.
He said: “I knew this a couple of weeks ago and we spoke about the schedule. I understand the FIFA fixtures and the window so we planned for Martin to leave straight after the Cove match.
It’s not disappointing, it’s not a blow. It’s just we have a player who plays for Australia and these are the games, we have to adapt to it. From Martin’s point of view I hope he has a really successful few games and he qualifies for the World Cup.
“We have plenty of players for that position but what Martin brings is very specific attributes. There aren’t too many in our team or in the league who have his attributes so it is up to me to find the right solution when he does go away.”
Boyle was unhappy at being denied a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia this month – just as Nisbet was when Hibs refused to accept an offer from Birmingham for him last year.
But Maloney is adamant both players have shown nothing but 100 per cent to the cause and Nisbet will bounce back from his Parkhead miss.
He added: “The chance came very early on but Kevin’s been fine since then. I’ve spoken to him a couple of times since then but that’s what happens with strikers, No.9s, they will have chances. With Kevin’s quality I believe over the season that he’ll take more than he misses.
“Kevin’s actually been very good in the last three or four weeks since I’ve been here.
“I’ve spoken to him a lot. I understand there were a lot of situations with Kevin before I came here but my dealings with him have been really, really good.
He’s very committed to what I’m trying to do here. If I’m going to be successful I know Kevin will play a big part in that and what he’s shown me on the training pitch and in matches has been very good.
“He’s spoken to me privately and been very happy, he’s enjoying what we’re trying to do and enjoying playing a big part in it.
“I’ve only really got positive things to say about Kevin and I hope that transmits to everyone at the club.
“He’s a very quiet boy but the more I speak to him the more committed he is to the way we’re trying to play and what we’re trying to achieve here.
“We ask the forward players to do a lot of work out of possession – both Kevin and Martin – and the commitment that they showed against Celtic was very, very impressive. But it’s also the standard they have to come to every game and so far, over the last three games, Kevin and Martin have shown very good commitment out of possession but Martin’s commitment has never been in doubt.”
Boyle’s absence could mean a debut for USA international Chris Mueller but whoever plays can expect a tough night against the high-flying League One leaders, managed by Maloney’s former Celtic and Scotland team-mate Paul Hartley.
Maloney said: “He was brilliant for the national team and Celtic but I’ll get to chat to him after the game. Before it we’re just there to compete.
“We’re playing a lower-league team but it’s the same process whether it’s any team. It’s exactly the same feel and schedule.”
