Nick Montgomery insists his decision to rest Martin Boyle in Paisley paid off as the Socceroo speed demon powered Hibs to a first win in seven league games.
Boyle was an unused sub in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with St Mirren after picking up a niggle at Hampden a week ago. But he was the difference in a tight 90 minutes in Leith as he tormented the Killie defence and produced the one moment of magic to tee up Josh Campbell for the only goal of the game.
The 30-year-old - who also had a goal disallowed - will now head off for international duty with Australia. And Montgomery said: “Martin is a special player and we have to protect him.
Coming off in the semi-final he took a little knock. We can’t take risks on a player of Martin’s stature at the club and it was the right decision to leave him on the bench at St Mirren.
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