There’s no doubt that winger Martin Boyle has been a major part of Hibs’ recent upturn in form.
The 31-year-old Aussie star struggled with a hand injury at the beginning of the season and wasn’t handed as many starting opportunities as he would have hoped for.
But right across the busy festive period, manager David Gray started Boyle in every game from the 3-1 win vs Aberdeen – when he scored and notched two assists – to last weekend’s thrilling encounter with Rangers when he netted a brace.
Boyle has been fantastic for the Hibees of late and Gray believes a part of that is down to veteran striker Dwight Gayle and his own impact on the team.
Gayle and Boyle’s thriving Hibs connection
Gayle has proven to be a valuable attacking option having scored three goals in his last five Premiership games, despite admitting that he feels his body is starting to “break down”.
The 35-year-old managed to play a full 90 minutes against Rangers and Gray feels his experience and expertise makes him ‘infectious’ for his other teammates – including Boyle.
Hibs boss Gray said of Gayle: “He’s someone that we have to manage to a certain extent. We always knew that, with his history, his age he’s at, and he’s already commented on there about his body.
“But he’s a top professional. He’ll tell you how he feels. He knows his body inside out.
“And sometimes just his experience and knowing where to be on the pitch can be just as effective, even though you don’t get the running power you’ve got out of a young Dwight Gayle.
“What you get out of him now is putting himself in the right positions and how infectious he is for people around about him.
“I think even Martin Boyle mentioned that; I think I’ve seen that after the game. He’s learning even just off Gayle’s movement at times and where to go and where not to go and listening to him on the pitch.
“That’s what he brings all the time, whether he’s on the pitch for five minutes, one minute or for 90 minutes. He’s got that wealth of experience, which is great for everybody else.”
Gayle available to play vs Motherwell
Despite the rigours of the Rangers clash at Easter Road, Gayle has told boss Gray that he is ready to feature against Motherwell.
The boss continued: “He’s available for the weekend, which is good. I had a conversation with him, and I think he felt better than he probably thought he would after that game.
“I think just the way the game goes, the fact we’re in good form, everyone’s desperate to play, so I think your body naturally heals a wee bit quicker than you feel in a bad run or feeling sorry for ourselves a bit.
“But I think when the performance levels are higher, you definitely mentally recover a little bit quicker as well.”