Charlie’s a darling for skip Euan
Killie captain Euan Murray has backed Rugby Park kid Charlie McArthur to make a massive impact this season.
The 16-year- old made his debut in Friday night’s 3-1 win over Queen’s Park as Tommy Wright’s side went into the quarter-final of the SPFL Trust Trophy.
And Murray believes the teenager can lay the foundations for a top-flight career by listening to those around him as he continues his development.
He said: “Charlie was excellent. I like everything about him. He is a good lad, respectful. He listens to what you tell him and has massive ability.
“He has the support network around him to keep his feet on the ground – that is important – but he is an unbelievable talent and I hope he goes on to live up to his potential by having a great career.
“He got man-of-the-match and it was deserved. He picks up good positions and is composed on the ball.
“He isn’t rash that you sometimes find in young centre-halves . He has all the tools to kick on.
“Wright is the best manager to take him to another level and Charlie has shown he can go into a game at firstteam level and hold his own.”
Murray is also confident Friday’s win can bolster Kilmarnock ahead of a return to league duty next week.
They signed off with a defeat to Raith Rovers and face struggling Dunfermline this weekend at East End Park, with Murray eyeing some consistency in the league but accepting getting out of the Championship will be a challenge.
He said: “This one of those leagues where one bad result can feel like the end of the world.
“But you have to realise that this is a league where there will be plenty of twists and turns.
“That’s why Friday’s game was good for us to get back playing and get that defeat out our system.
“In recent years there have been big clubs in the Championship and it is not easy.
“Rangers, Dundee United and Hearts all found it a tough league to be in.
“I have played in the league before and know you have to respect every team that you face.
“It is a different style of play that a lot of players might not be used to because so many teams want to sit in tight rather than the 50-50 of the top flight. You have to be able to break teams down.”