I knew my big chance would come if I kept plugging away
Murray was plumbing football’s depths
Hibs new boy Simon Murray admits he never thought the chance to play at the top level had passed him by – even when he was turning out for Junior teams well into his 20s.
Murray slipped out of the senior ranks after just one Third Division game for Montrose as a late substitute in May 2011.
He then spent three years working as a plumber and turning out for Downfield, Tayport and Dundee Violet in his native city.
Murray eventually caught the attention of Arbroath and a haul of 14 goals earned him a passport to the big time with Dundee United.
However, his hometown club’s subsequent relegation and recent failure to return to the top tier saw him snapped up by Hibs boss Neil Lennon in the summer.
Murray, 25, said: “Even when you are a young player with a Junior team, having previously been on a senior side’s books, you always carry that hope you can find your way back up there again.
“My dad Gary, who also played with Hibs, used to tell me to keep going and continue banging in the goals.
“I was scoring a lot in the Juniors and you always hope you get the chance.
“Eventual ly I did, at Arbroath. You do wonder if the opportunity will arrive and thankfully it did.
“Working as a plumber was OK but it’s not nearly as good as being a full- time professional footballer.”
Murray admitted it was so tough to walk away from United with unf inished business, given he joined newly-promoted Hibs within a couple of days of the Terrors failing to win their play- off final against Hamilton Accies.
He said: “Obviously we didn’t win the league but we were in the play-off final and had the chance to get the team back to the top flight.
“I wanted nothing more than to do that.
“My mates are still there and I wanted to do it for them.
“I’m from Dundee so I have a lot of friends and family who are United fans.
“I was gutted when United stayed in the Championship but when the opportunity came to sign for Hibs, there was only one place I wanted to be.
“What happened at United hurt me as much as any of the guys who are still there and it would be totally unfair to suggest otherwise.
“My manager at Dundee United knew I was coming here at the end of the season and picked me in the play-off games. People who know me know I give 100 per cent every time I play.”
Murray, who was a goal machine during the play-offs, was disappointed not to have had more opportunities to play for United throughout the normal season in the Championship.
He said: “I picked up a wee injury against Hibs when we played them and that did my ligament. I was also getting played out of position a lot, on the right and left, and that affects you as well.
“When I got back playing, thankfully we were going two up front. That’s what I prefer and that’s when I was getting my goals. I just wished the manager had realised that a bit sooner.
“My new boss at Hibs, Neil Lennon, hasn’t really spoken to me about my role in the team yet. I know he played two up front a lot last year so I’m hoping I can fit in there.
“We are all here to win games and he is obviously very passionate about what he does. That’s the way I feel I play as well so I’m sure we will get on just fine.”
With the SPFL fixtures for the season being released two days ago, one standout clash will be Murray’s very first Edinburgh derby, at Easter Road on October 25.
He grinned and said: “The de rby is a massive game and you always dream of scoring the winning goal in that one.
“That would be great so hopefully I can do that. I’m really looking forward to it.
“I’m looking forward to every game but I’m sure that derby will be exciting when it comes along.”
Murray candidly admits he definitely feels the pressure of trying to replace the goal return of Jason Cummings.
He bagged 55 goals in 114 appearances for the Leith side, and scored in four consecutive derbies before joining Nottingham Forest. Asked if they were big shoes to fill, Murray added: “One hundred per cent.
“As a striker your job is to score and I’m just looking to hit a good figure every season and contribute that way for
Hibs.”
Having been on a senior side’s books, you always hope you can find your way back up again