COMING OF AGE
Murray is stepping up to test at the top
FROM Arniston Rangers to Glasgow Rangers. If anyone ever requires an illustration of what’s possible when raw talent is enriched with hard work and a sprinkling of good fortune, the staging posts on Simon Murray’s career path are the perfect case in point.
To the uninitiated attending Hibernian’s top-flight return on Saturday, the 25-year-old might well have been viewed as another face in Scottish football’s crowd — save his distinctive shock of red hair.
But the life story of the man who scored one, might well have claimed another and never gave Partick Thistle’s defence a second’s peace in what was eventually a comfortable victory for the Leith men, is a long way from the norm.
Dropping down to the Junior ranks after one game for Montrose as a teenager, Murray learned the game the hard way in its lesser known corners with the likes of Downfield, Tayport and Dundee Violet. Those seeking riches and glamour in such arenas need not apply.
‘There are some horrific places to play football in Scotland,’ smiled Murray. ‘There are a few bad ones but Arniston’s not the best. What’s not bad about it? I’m sure there was a guy having a tinny and a fag at the side of the pitch. I did enjoy that as well, to be fair. I just worked hard.
‘Sometimes when you come through the club set-up you take it for granted but I’m happy with the way I came through.’
Taken by Jackie McNamara to Tannadice in 2015, Murray’s apprenticeship inured him against the trauma of relegation and a subsequent failure to win promotion with Dundee United last season.
Neil Lennon liked what he saw, though — a formidable work-rate, aggression and an eye for goal — and saw no reason why a man who was excelling in front of one man and a dog not so long ago shouldn’t do so on the biggest stage Scottish football has to offer. It’s been something of a masterstroke so far.
Stepping into Jason Cummings’ boots, Murray took his season’s tally to eight against the Jags and will back himself to add to that against Ayr United tomorrow before the small matter of Ibrox comes into view on Saturday.
‘After coming through the Junior ranks I suppose it does make me appreciate where I am that bit more,’ added Murray.
‘I am buzzing to go and play Rangers. I’ve never played at Ibrox before. I don’t think we’ve got anything to fear and we can afford to give it a go. I’m looking forward to it.
‘When you come to a new club you want to get the first goal as quickly as possible. I’m delighted to have done it a few times.’
Murray needs no one to remind him life might not always be as straightforward as it seems at the moment.
Despite a lack of preparation, Anthony Stokes impressed in the 21 minutes he was afforded from the bench while Deivydas Matulevicius, the imposing Lithuanian international striker, has yet to make his competitive debut.
While some might view such plentiful options as a source of concern, Murray prefers to look upon them merely as opportunities for self-betterment.
‘It makes you perform better because you know there’s someone there waiting to come and take your place,’ he said.
By the time Murray’s perfectly executed penalty had opened up a two-goal advantage on Partick Thistle seven minutes into the second half, the vast majority inside a pulsating Easter Road were of a mind to simply savour the moment.
This was one of these perfect afternoons the Leith club seem to have specialised in of late.
Basked in sunshine, the 17,630 crowd arrived early in order to see the unfurling of the league flag. The fact their favourites subsequently won the three points the hard way made the occasion even more satisfying. Efe Ambrose was feeble as he was rolled by Chris Erskine inside seven minutes to allow the winger to fire the Jags ahead but Hibs, commendably, gave themselves an almighty shake to level seven minutes later. John McGinn’s surge from deep went unchecked. The midfielder enjoyed a degree of luck as his attempted pass was inadvertently deflected into Martin Boyle’s path by Danny Devine but the finish beyond Tomas Cerny was clinical.
Thistle inexplicably lost their way after that. As Alan Archibald’s players invented new ways to give the ball away, the talismanic Kris Doolan hobbled off with a hamstring strain which will necessitate the acquisition of a new striker in short order. ‘Our decision making and passing were slack,’ the Jags boss lamented.
Within two minutes of Doolan’s departure, Hibs had turned the game on its head with Steven Whittaker smartly burying Danny Swanson’s cut-back with the outside of his right foot.
The veteran was hardly going to encourage the suggestion the ball may have clipped Murray’s toe on its way in.
There was only one winner thereafter. Hibs passed the ball with the composure of a side that felt it belonged in the top flight. After Callum Booth had upended Boyle, Murray wrong-footed Cerny from the spot to seal victory.