Championship side Stoke City are interested in signing Hibernian winger Martin Boyle, according to Michael Baggaley of the Stoke Sentinel. James Delaney from Edinburgh Live also reports the interest while saying that Huddersfield Town are interested in the Australia international’s signature.
Stoke City Interested in Hibernian Winger Martin Boyle
Boyle’s Career
Despite being born in Aberdeen, Boyle is eligible to represent Australia as his father was born in Syndey. Boyle himself represented Scotland at U16 level before applying for an Australian passport in 2018. He was selected for the squad later that year and made his debut in a friendly against South Korea. In his first start, he scored twice and assisted the other in a 3-0 win against Lebanon.
Club-wise, Boyle has spent his entire career in Scotland. His senior career began at Montrose before moving to Dundee in 2012. He was loaned back to Montrose a year later and also had a temporary spell at Hibs in 2015 before making the move permanent later that year.
Boyle is in the final year of his contract with the Edinburgh club so, financially, it would make sense for them to sell now and receive a fee rather than lose him for nothing next year.
Fitting in at Stoke
Stoke boss Michael O’Neill spent time playing at Hibs in his career, so there is a clear link between the two. He has also managed in Scotland having spent two years at Brechin City.
The Potters are not short of options on the wing, already possessing Tom Ince, James McClean and Sam Clucas who can play in those positions, but the signing of Boyle would certainly add some good competition to their ranks.
It’s been a disappointing couple of years for Stoke after their relegation from the Premier League in 2017/18. Perhaps some added competition for places is what the current squad needs to start firing again.
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