A Historic Night for Hibernian and Martin Boyle
In a remarkable performance that will be remembered for years to come, Martin Boyle became the hero for Hibernian as he scored his 100th and 101st goals for the club during a crucial UEFA Conference League qualifier. The victory in Belgrade has put Hibs in an excellent position ahead of the second leg at Easter Road, with the team now looking to make history by reaching the group stages of European competition for the first time.
This was more than just a win; it was a fairytale night for Boyle and the entire Hibs squad. The match took place on a special occasion, marking the 150th anniversary of the Easter Road outfit. For fans from Leith, this night in Serbia will be unforgettable.
Hibs faced a strong opponent in Partizan Belgrade, a club with a rich European heritage. Despite their pedigree, they were left stunned after a key moment in the game turned the tide in Hibs' favor. In the 34th minute, Vukasin Durdevic was sent off for a second bookable offense, giving David Gray’s side a numerical advantage that they quickly capitalized on.
Boyle, the captain, opened the scoring in the 40th minute, netting his 100th goal for the club. He then added a second goal from the penalty spot in the second half, making it a double celebration for both himself and the team.
The result puts Hibs in a commanding position ahead of the second leg, which will take place at Easter Road next week. If they manage to secure a win there, they will face the loser of the Europa League qualifier between AEK Larnaca and Legia Warsaw in the Conference League play-off. This is a significant step forward for the club, as they have never before reached the group stage of European competition.
Partizan Belgrade, despite their historical success, including a European Cup final appearance in 1966, were unable to recover from the early disadvantage. Their recent form in European competitions has been mixed, with only one group stage appearance in the Champions League in the 2010-11 season. However, they did reach the group phase of the Conference League in 2022 and 2023, showing that they are not to be taken lightly.
Hibs’ manager, David Gray, made one change to the starting XI from the previous match, with Jamie McGrath replacing Junior Hoilett. New signing Grant Hanley was named on the bench, while Marvin Ekpiteta was omitted from the squad. Gray hinted that Ekpiteta is considering his future, as he prepares to leave the club.
From the start, Hibs showed great intent. Boyle's long-range lob in the fourth minute was just wide of the mark, but it set the tone for the visitors. The hosts had several chances, including Demba Seck and Nikola Simic, but failed to convert them.
The game remained tightly contested until the pivotal moment when Durdevic was sent off. This allowed Hibs to take control, and Boyle wasted no time in capitalizing on the situation. His first goal came from close range, and he later added a penalty to complete his double.
Despite the lead, Hibs had missed opportunities to extend their advantage in the first half. Bowie, McGrath, and Cadden all had chances, but they failed to capitalize. In the second half, Partizan tried to regain control, but Hibs held firm.
The decisive moment came in the 67th minute when a VAR review led to a penalty for Hibs. Boyle stepped up and converted it, scoring his 101st goal for the club. The traveling support celebrated a historic away win that could prove to be the turning point in Hibs' European campaign.
With the first leg in the bag, Hibs now look forward to the return match at Easter Road, where they will aim to seal their place in the next stage of the competition. This victory is not just a step forward for the club, but a statement of intent in their quest for European glory.