Hibs’ Boyle switches allegiance to Australia

Hibs’ Boyle switches allegiance to Australia

After having failed to make the Scotland team, Hibernian player Martin Boyle switched allegiances to Australia, the other country for which he is eligible to play.

Martin Boyle will now represent Australia instead of Scotland. (AFP pic)
SYDNEY:
Hibernian’s Martin Boyle was included in the Socceroos squad Thursday for two home friendlies after the Scotland-born winger secured an Australian passport.

Boyle, who played for the Scotland under-16s, qualifies as his father was born in Sydney with Football Federation Australia saying he recently received his clearance.

His switch of allegiance means three players from the Scottish Premier League side could be on the field against South Korea in Brisbane on November 17, with Mark Milligan and Jamie Maclaren also called up.

Boyle was left out of the Scotland squad last month for matches against Israel and Portugal, with coach Alex McLeish saying his side was “pretty rich in that position”.

“Australia may snatch him, but at the moment I have got some really good players in that position,” he added, according to the BBC.

With Australia due to defend its Asian Cup title in January, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has included 27 players in his squad for the Korea friendly as he casts his eyes over a wide talent pool.

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