Football star suffers sickening head injury in feisty cup clash as club provide health update

Hibernian and Socceroos winger Martin Boyle was recovering in hospital last night after being carried off in the Scottish Cup defeat to Rangers.

The 30-year-old Australia international is 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 side finished the game with nine men following the dismissals of Jordan Obita and Nathan Moriah-Welsh, planned to contact the experienced wideman 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 a concussion, a bit of a sore neck and that’s something you have to worry about.

‘I’ll call him and hopefully get an update.

– Football is just a game, and although Martin is an important player for us, he is also a human being.

“Fingers crossed that he recovers quickly because he was in a bit of pain.”

Boyle was caught with Hibs a goal down after goalkeeper David Marshall saved Rangers skipper James Tavernier’s penalty – only for John Lundstram to react quickest to convert the rebound.

Obita had submitted the spot kick after being adjudged to have knocked down Dujon Sterling.

Later in the match, in the 68th minute, he received 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’ surrounding key incidents, Montgomery criticized goalscorer Lundstram’s role in the second red card, claiming the Rangers midfielder had gone down too easily.

– 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 about to make some tough decisions.

“We can talk about whether it is a penalty or whether it is not a penalty. Obviously, he (Dujon Sterling) slowed down to initiate contact from Jordan.

‘I can’t say whether or not it was a penalty – but it wasn’t a penalty for us a couple of weeks ago (for a similar situation) and it was a penalty tonight. It is 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 away, but apparently he caught him on the back of the head with his arm.

‘Jordan is an experienced player so if he has done something that is considered a yellow card, you don’t want it.’