Martin Boyle has hit back at claims that he is a diver and pointed out that he has been fouled 82 times this season, with only Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson winning more free-kicks in the top-flight.
The Socceroo was harshly shown a yellow card for simulation by referee Don Robertson in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Rangers despite the fact that he didn’t claim after being outmuscled by Rangers’ defender Connor Goldson.
Robertson looked as though he couldn’t wait to produce a yellow card and it was apparent that his decision was based on Boyle’s unfair reputation after being criticised by Ross County manager John Hughes after being awarded a penalty in Dingwall.
Speaking after the game Boyle said: “The way I move, sometimes it is easy to be brushed off the ball.
“I just got bundled over and I wasn’t even claiming for the penalty. I went for the ball and I just wasn’t strong enough and was brushed aside by the big boys.
“I said to the referee at half time that I didn’t think it was a yellow card because I wasn’t wanting a penalty, but he said he thought I was playing for it. I didn’t feel there was enough for it to be a penalty, but it wasn’t a dive.
“I am being shown stats that say I am the most fouled player in the league and in some games I get taken out 10-12 times. I could get multiple people booked, but no-one speaks about that.
“I get some unbelievable tackles on me. I am the sort of guy who just brushes it aside and gets up and gets on with my game.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
