Martin Boyle spoke to the media after Hibs' 4-2 win over St Mirren and subsequent pairing with Aberdeen in the Viaplay Cup semi-final. Here's everything he had to say.

Never in doubt, eh?

"Yeah, well we eventually got there. It was a very important win and it’s great to have another trip to Hampden. The fans can look forward to that, we can look forward to it. There is a  lot of work to be done before then but we can definitely look forward to the occasion.

While you’ve been here, there have been many semi finals but last year was a disappointment so is it good to be back on that stage?

"It is definitely what we strive to achieve every season. We had a good spell over the past few years of getting there but last year we definitely underachieved. It is always good to get there and I feel like we deserved it tonight.

Do you feel you're back to your best now?

"Yeah, I’m getting a lot of minutes and I am back to full match sharpness. The new manager has come in and given us a new lease of life. He has different tactics and we are obviously just getting used to that. It’s good to get on the ball and create like I always try to do.

But are you unhappy you didn’t get a hat-trick?

I’m very disappointed and it is going to chew me up all night! But, to be fair, it was nice to score two goals. The first half I was pretty non-existent so in the second half it was good to show up!

New manager is a fan of yours, does that give you extra confidence or extra licence?

He has been fantastic and I think we are enjoying the tactics he’s brought in. Training has been long and he has changed a lot around the place. He is definitely instilling in us the way he wants to play and I think you can see that in the last few games. We are playing out from the back and creating a lot of chances, and we are scoring a lot of goals which is great.

Improved in second half so did the gaffer have some harsh words at half-time for you and the other boys?

"No, he just said we should stay patient. We worked hard in training and we knew that they would sit behind the ball. They were 1-0 up away from home so we needed to remain patient and try to shift them around and try to get into positions to score goals. I felt we got off to a great start [after the break] with the early goal and we dominated after that.  We did concede a sloppy goal but it was great character from the lads to get the reaction.

The team has so many attacking options now...

"Its’ great and it is amazing to play in. There is so much flair and I just found out that Dylan [Vente] has had five shots and scored five goals so that’s a pretty good stat, isn’t it? We just need to get him into the box more often! Obviously, his link up play is fantastic, Elie’s pace is electric, and Christian Doidge, we know what he brings, and Alfie [Adam Le Fondre]  is an experienced player and helps us a lot around the place and his link up play and experience is very important to us and we are all striving towards the same goal.

Was that a statement result against one of the form teams in the country?

"You could say so but it was a cup competition and both teams were going at it. I think it was a great game for the neutral and fantastic for us. But we know there is a lot more that the manager wants to instil. We believe it is just the beginning, for us,  of a new journey and hopefully we can keep progressing.

You will feel that you’ve got as good a threat as anyone in those semi finals?

"We have got to be confident. We are scoring a lot of goals at the minute which is good. We are getting a lot of chances and scoring a lot of goals. If we weren't creating all those chances then there would be an issue but we are playing god football at the moment and getting into good positions to score goals. 

Feelings on getting Aberdeen in the draw?

"We didn't watch the draw, we just showered, had the music on, and enjoyed the win. Obviously, we are back at training tomorrow so we just shot off after ice baths and recovery. 

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"I would have been happy with anyone. It is the luck of the draw but, against Aberdeen, I’m sure it will be a great occasion for the fans, for us, and it will be a good game.

Given that frontline, you must fancy your chances against anyone?

"I would like to think so. We have players who can cause a lot of teams problems. We are still near the start of our journey and we still need to adapt to how the manager wants us to play. It is a new style but I feel we’ve taken the information on well and implemented it well. Hopefully, we can keep progressing.

Last time in a League Cup semi final, you gave a phenomenal performance [hat-trick i 3-1 win v Rangers, Nov 2021], do you fancy the same again?

"I would certainly take that again! It was a good occasion for me and for the club. I would be happy with any sort of victory but a performance like that, individually, would be great and I can certainly hope."