The gaffer brought me back and I wish I could've repaid Lee's faith in me

Boyle always grateful to his sacked boss

- FRASER WILSON

MARTIN BOYLE was ready to run through a brick wall for Lee Johnson long before the manager ran into one of his own at Easter Road.

Unfortunately his horror ACL injury not only ruined the Hibs forward's campaign last year, it crept into the start of this one too.

Boyle will always be grateful to Johnson for pulling out the stops to ensure he got back to Leith after his big move to Saudi Arabia turned sour.

He just never got a proper chance to repay him due to the agonising knee injury that also robbed him of a chance to star at the World Cup for Australia.

Johnson's sacking after Saturday's defeat to Livingston - which leaves Hibs bottom with no points - is hardly ideal preparation for a European away day against Aston Villa.

But Boyle is adamant the turmoil of the last few days can't be allowed to disrupt the occasion everyone has worked so hard to secure, even if Johnson is nowhere near it.

For the third time in less than two years, club hero David Gray has been appointed as caretaker boss.

And even starting with a five-goal deficit after the first leg of their Europa Conference League play-off, Boyle believes a little pride can be restored.