“Inconsistent” Martin Boyle “can’t shy away from high expectations” as he enters the final year of his contract with Hibernian.

Boyle has five goals and five assists in 10 games this season, though he admits he has been “a bit inconsistent” of late.

The 31-year-old came off the bench to score his 100th goal in Scottish league football in Hibs’ much-needed win against St Johnstone on Saturday but said that is “part and parcel” of his role in the team.

“It’s nice to come on and make an impact,” he told BBC Scotland. “I always enjoy scoring goals and helping the team get three points, and we needed it.

“It will give the place a lift and the manager as well so we can take that confidence and bring that winning mentality back.”

Boyle, as one of the senior and more successful players in the squad, is sometimes on the end of criticism from the stands, but it’s something the Australia international can handle.

“I’ve been a bit inconsistent and I’m just trying to maintain my goals and assists, that’s part and parcel of what I do,” he added.

“The criticism can be anything it wants. I’m an established player now and the expectations on me are really high and I can’t shy away from that.

“The fans pay their money and are entitled to their opinion but as long as I keep giving 100% and show them what this club means to me then hopefully I can keep producing.”

The question is, will he keep performing for the Easter Road club beyond the summer? Boyle’s contract runs out at the end of the season, but he isn’t rushing into any conversations.

“I just want to keep maintaining that form for Hibs and when that conversation has to happen, then it will come,” he added.

“It’s a bit early in the season just now for that but things are going well just now and we will see what happens.”