Football star suffers sickening head injury during tough cup match while club provides health update

Hibernian and Socceroos winger Martin Boyle has returned from hospital after being taken off on a stretcher during last night’s 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 defeat for the Easter Road side.

Manager Nick Montgomery, whose team finished the match with nine men following the dismissals of Jordan Obita and Nathan Moriah-Welsh, planned to contact the experienced wide man to monitor his condition.

“I just got the message that Martin is stable and that is the most important thing,” the 42-year-old Englishman said immediately after the match.

“He hit his head, probably a mild concussion, a sore neck and you have to worry about that.

“I’m going to call him and hopefully get an update.

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

‘Fingers crossed he makes a quick recovery as he was in some pain.’

Hibs confirmed on Monday morning that routine tests had come back clear.

“Hibernian FC can confirm that Martin Boyle has returned from hospital accompanied by his wife and children,” the club said.

#The winger went straight to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after the first-half clash against Rangers and underwent a thorough medical examination to understand the severity of the injury.

‘Thankfully the tests were all clear and revealed that Martin has a concussion. He will now rest at home and follow concussion protocol.

‘The club would like to thank the staff at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, together with the stadium ambulance crew, and the medical departments of Hibernian FC and Rangers for the treatment they provided to Martin.’

Boyle was sent off with Hibs a goal behind after keeper David Marshall saved Rangers skipper James Tavernier’s penalty – only for John Lundstram to react quickest and convert the rebound.

Obita had conceded the penalty after being judged to have brought 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.

Dissatisfied with the ‘unnecessary drama’ surrounding the main incidents, Montgomery criticized goalscorer Lundstram’s role in the second red card, claiming the Rangers midfielder had gone down too easily.

The Australian star was taken to hospital after the accidental collision in Edinburgh

“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 at the end of some tough decisions.

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

‘I can’t say whether it was a penalty or not, but a few weeks ago it wasn’t a penalty for us (for a similar situation) and tonight it was a penalty. That’s disappointing.

“To be honest, I didn’t see Jordan Obita’s incident (for sending off). I know it was on yellow. He tried to stop (Rabbi) Matondo, but apparently he grabbed 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 that.”