The old Boyle is back - so should Hibs extend deal?

Amid the many positive things about Hibernian's resurgence, there is one thing fans are certain to be saying around Easter Road.

'It's good to have the old Martin Boyle back.'

At 31 and having returned from a serious knee injury, there were doubts about whether Boyle's best days were behind him.

Those fears were only compounded when a slow start to the campaign ended with him being taken out of the team as Hibs toiled.

But against Motherwell the Australia forward not only scored two goals for the second game in a row but put in a relentless display full of running, one far more like his old self.

Hibs head coach David Gray was asked after the game how much he wants to keep Boyle, whose deal expires in the summer.

"You always want to keep players that perform like that - that's the challenge to the wee man - to make sure he keeps going," was Gray's typically straight reply.

What's behind Boyle's resurgence?

The cynical among us might assume the upturn in Boyle's form is down to the fact he needs to earn a new contract.

That could be part of it, but it's not the whole story. For context Boyle now has seven Premiership goals this season, a tally he has only bettered once - in 2020-21 when he grabbed 12.

Hibs' switch to a back three has helped them go on a seven-game unbeaten run, with only leaders Celtic defeating Gray's side in the last 10 games.

It has also helped Boyle. Rather than being out on the wing in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, he is playing as a striker alongside the wily Dwight Gayle.

As Gray put it, Boyle is now operating with "freedom" as he roves around the pitch.

His 37 touches against Motherwell came all across the park, allowing him to pop up in the box for the opening goal, but also get in position to put in seven crosses, more than any other player.

But it was not just his attacking output. Even at the end he was closing down frantically, and his awareness to pick up a pass and counter lead to Motherwell's Jack Vale being sent off in stoppage time.

Gray says Boyle shaking off an early-season injury and knuckling down have been key as well.

"He had to deal with adversity," the Hibs boss told BBC Scotland. "He's probably never felt that in a number of years in a Hibs jersey.

"I've challenged him this year as well in terms of leadership and what I think he needs to do to bring him to the next level. Now he's demonstrating all the qualities I know are in there."

Boyle's touch map against Motherwell highlights his dynamic impact

Should Hibs keep Boyle?

So, with Boyle's deal due to expire should Hibs try to keep him?

The forward is at the top of their wage structure, so finances are obviously a factor with 15 players' deals expiring at Easter Road this summer.

Age is also an issue and, regardless of form, Boyle's injury record will count against him.

Then there's the fact he may want a new challenge anyway, with clubs in Australia reportedly interested, given he is an important international for the Socceroos.

Former Hibs midfielder Michael Stewart believes the club should sit tight - for now.

"If he continues on this form between now and the end of the season I'd be offering him a one-year contract," Stewart said on BBC Scotland's Sportsound.

"If he's offered something longer term over in Australia then I'd imagine he'd look to go there."

For now - as Gray demanded - all Boyle can do is keep producing.