Hibernian and Socceroos winger Martin Boyle was recovering in hospital last night after being stretchered off in the Scottish Cup defeat to Rangers.
The 30-year-old Australia international was said to be in a ‘stable’ condition after appearing to land awkwardly in an accidental collision with Rangers defender John Souttar during a 2-0 loss for the Easter Road side.
Manager Nick Montgomery, whose team ended the match with nine men following the dismissals of Jordan Obita and Nathan Moriah-Welsh, planned to make contact with the experienced wide man to check on his condition.
‘I’ve just had a report that Martin is stable and that’s the most important thing,’ said the 42-year-old Englishman.
‘He’s landed on his head, probably a bit of concussion, bit of a sore neck and that’s something you have to worry about.
Martin Boyle (right) is in a stable condition after suffering a bad head injury on Sunday night
‘I will call him and hopefully I will get an update.
‘Football is just a game and, while Martin is an important player for us, he’s a human being, too.
‘Fingers crossed that he makes a speedy recovery because he was in a bit of pain.’
Boyle was taken off with Hibs a goal down after keeper David Marshall saved Rangers skipper James Tavernier’s penalty – only for John Lundstram to react quickest and convert the rebound.
Obita had conceded the spot-kick after being adjudged to have brought down Dujon Sterling.
Later in the match, in the 68th minute, he earned a second yellow card from referee Steven McLean for using an arm to stop Rabbi Matondo.
Three minutes later, Hibs were reduced to nine men after Moriah-Welsh was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Lundstram.
Unhappy with the ‘unnecessary drama’ around the key incidents, Montgomery criticised the role of goalscorer Lundstram in the second red card and claimed that the Rangers midfielder had gone down too easily.
The Australia star was taken to hospital following the accidental collision in Edinburgh
‘The officials probably had a bit of a bad day today, to be honest. But we all have bad days,’ said the Hibernian manager.
‘I thought we were on the end of some tough decisions.
‘We can talk about whether it’s a penalty or whether it’s not a penalty. Obviously he (Dujon Sterling) slowed down to initiate the contact from Jordan.
‘I can’t say whether it was or wasn’t a penalty – but it wasn’t a penalty for us a few weeks ago (for a similar situation) and it was a penalty tonight. That’s disappointing.
‘I haven’t seen Jordan Obita’s incident (for the sending off) to be honest. I know he was on a yellow. He tried to hold (Rabbi) Matondo off but apparently he has caught him on the back of the head with his arm.
‘Jordan is an experienced player so, if he has done something that is deemed a yellow card, you don’t want that.’
