I know how Martin Boyle can become Hibs double hero but beware a Midtjylland reaction

Daily Record

30-07-2025

It's a massive chance for the capital club to take a step towards the league phase with the Easter Road blockbuster
Wouldn't it be great if Martin Boyle becomes both a Hibs centurion and a European hero at once?
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The Australia livewire is sitting on 99 goals in green and white with the chance to hit the ton in style in tomorrow's Europa League qualifier.
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Boyle is the one man Midtjylland will not want to see charging at them again when the sides meet for the return leg in Leith with the score balanced at 1-1.
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The 32-year-old's blistering pace caused chaos in Denmark and he was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after VAR ruled out his strike.
Stick one in the channel and Boyle's after it in a flash. He gives Hibs a brilliant out ball and he's not just about pace these days either – he's bulked up, holds it in better now and gets the team up the pitch when they need it most.
He's a big-game player too. You've seen it over the years, in so many big games, that he pops up with the goal
And there would be nothing better than bagging the winner in a European tie in front of a packed Easter Road.
His 100th goal is coming. It's only a matter of time but I hope it is against the Danes as I'm backing Hibs to go through.
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It will be tight but I can see them progressing with a 2-1 win. Hibs did brilliantly over in Denmark, even if the game did not quite go as expected.
You might have thought there would be more chances, maybe a few more goals, but it turned into a tight battle.
Looking at Midtjylland's record over the last few seasons – getting to the knockout stages last term – I thought they were pretty poor on the night.
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I don't know if that was the heat or because it's so early in the season but you'll see a better Midtjylland team tomorrow night
Neither side created much in the first leg. It was scrappy and bitty, which suited Hibs just fine.
The second half was littered with yellow cards, stoppages and scuffles, which knocked the home side right out of their rhythm. So to come away with the tie 1-1 was a brilliant result.
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David Gray would have bitten your hand off before the game to bring that back to a packed home game with a real chance of going through.
It was a really disciplined defensive display from Hibs. The back three stood tall all night, barely gave Midtjylland a sniff and dealt with most things that came their way.
Behind them, keeper Jordan Smith looked assured and calm. Never flustered, he was always in control.
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It was the kind of solid, no-nonsense performance you need in Europe.
Midtjylland didn't impress much on the night – they were there for the taking. But make no mistake, they will be better at Easter Road. You expect a big reaction.
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A special mention goes to Dylan Levitt, who was tremendous and showed real quality on the ball all night.
Plenty of Hibs fans were not convinced when he arrived two years ago but he turned it on in the second half of last season. In the first competitive game of this one, he was right up there again as one of Hibs' top performers.
Over in Denmark, Hibs sat deep in a low block and Midtjylland did not have the creativity to break them down.
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It will be a different story when the side are reunited. With more than 20,000 fans roaring them on, Hibs will be expected to go for it.
The first goal could be massive. Get it, get the crowd going and it's game on. I've played on a big European night at Easter Road — AEK Athens, years back — and when that place is bouncing, it drives you on.
It can make all the difference. It's always difficult to juggle European games with domestic football but hopefully Hibs have the opportunity to do so over the next few months.
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They also face a tough test in their Premiership opener on Sunday as Hibs make their way to Dens Park.
There's already pressure being piled on Dundee boss Steven Pressley, which seems daft given how early it is and how they've actually started. But do not expect Hibs to show any sympathy.
Tomorrow could go the distance – extra-time, even penalties – but Hibs have the squad, the strength and the depth to handle both fronts and start the league campaign with a bang.
I remember thinking last year that Gray might not survive the trip to Dens. That match in November finished 4-1 and it felt bleak.
But it shows just how far this team have come. What they can't afford to be now is complacent because if they are, Dundee will punish them.