Murray in a hurry to make striking impact
Neil Lennon appears content to remain patient in his pursuit of Anthony Stokes, but Simon Murray seems like a man in a hurry to prove he deserves to stay in the Hibs team come what may.
Lennon insists the Easter Road outfit have done all they can to persuade Stokes they can revive his career and hope to hear from the former Celtic striker ahead of a board meeting today.
If Stokes’ welcome from the Hibs support is assured, given his pivotal performance in their historic Scottish Cup triumph of last year, Murray arrived at the club to more apathy than fanfare when he signed earlier in the summer.
Aware he needed to win over doubters, the 25-yearold has gone about his task in impressive fashion. His double against Alloa took his tally to seven from four Betfred Cup ties and, after last Tuesday’s treble against former side Arbroath, he knows he passed up a gilt-edged opportunity to become the first Hibs player since Joe Mcbride in 1968 to net consecutive hattricks when he blazed a late chance over.
With Lithuanian international striker Deivydas Matulevicius, pictured, making his debut, alongside midfield compatriot Vykintas Slivka, the recruitment of Stokes would threaten Murray’s current position as the focal point of the Hibs attack as they prepare for Saturday’s Premiership return at home to Partick Thistle.
However, the former Dundee United marksman is clearly ready for the challenge of proving to Lennon he has the attributes to keep his place, no matter who else is added to the squad.
“The fans are seeing me coming from United and you’ve got to prove yourself to everyone,” he said. “But you’ve got to do it for yourself. I’m just glad I’ve got the goals and hopefully that the fans are happy.
“I think that [Stokes signing] would improve me as a player. The stronger the squad, the stronger you are. I always see myself as a different striker to him, different to ‘Davie’ [Matulevicius]. And if I’m scoring goals, he’s going to have to play me. “It’s nearly two goals every game, so it’s not too bad. I’m delighted. I was obviously aiming to get off the mark and, as a striker, a goal a game would be an unbelievable tally to have, if you could get that through the season. So, I’m off to a good start.”
Murray’syoungernamesake, Fraser, earned Hibs the early breakthrough when he swept in Simon Murray’s low centre after a slick move sparked by Martin Boyle’s injection of pace on the right and smart ball threaded into the insideright channel.
Boyle’s movement and speed were a feature all afternoon for Hibs, who also welcomed Paul Hanlon back for the last 15 minutes after six months dogged by a pelvic injury.
Boyle was again heavily involved in the second goal in the 63rd minute, racing on to Fraser Murray’s pass on the counter-attack and slicing the home defence open with a brilliant, driven cross that Simon Murray bundled in.
The third, ten minutes from time, was again created by Boyle, who perfectly picked out Simon Murray’s run with a pinpoint cross and the striker bulleted his header in from 12 yards out.
With Ross County surprisingly drawing at Arbroath, the victory means Hibs progressed as Group D winners and provides confidence for thetop-flightcampaignahead.
“It will be tough in the league,” added Murray. “Nevertheless, you’ve got to beat the teams you’re playing [in the cup]. Other teams in the Premiership, no naming them, are obviously struggling. You have to be professional and go about it in the right way. They’re all tough games and we’re just glad we’ve done it the right way.” Alexandre Lacazette marked his first start at the Emirates Stadium with a goal to help Arsenal lift the Emirates Cup despite losing to Sevilla.
The club-record signing came off the bench in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Benficabutplayedfromthe start against Sevilla yesterday as the Gunners slipped to a 2-1 loss. The rules of the competition state that every goal is rewarded with a point, meaning that, despite Sevilla winning both of their games, Arsenal retain their own trophy after putting five past Benfica.
Joaquin Correa had put the La Liga outfit ahead early in the second half but Lacazette, pictured, tapped home to level for the hosts, only for Steven N’zonzi to hit a fantastic winner. Romelu Lukaku scored as Manchester United beat Valerenga 3-0 in Oslo in the penultimate match of their summer tour.
Marouane Fellaini gave United a first-half lead before substitutes Lukaku and Scott Mctominay netted in the second half.
United, who look set to sign midfielder Nemanja Matic in a £40 million deal from Chelsea, head to Dublin next to play Sampdoria before facing Real Madrid in the European Super Cup in Skopje on 8 August .
In the International Champions Cup, Manchester City coasted to a 3-0 win over Tottenham in Nashville.
John Stones opened the scoring after ten minutes before Raheem Sterling and Brahim Diaz added further goals in the second half to wrap up victory.
Real Madrid remain winless after three International Champions Cup games following Saturday night’s 3-2 defeat by arch-rivals Barcelona in Miami.
Real went two goals down inside seven minutes thanks to Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic, before Mateo Kovacic and Marco Asensio forced parity heading into half-time. Gerard Pique grabbed Barca’s clincher five minutes after the restart.