Hibs striker Murray set for Turkish move
Simon Murray could be set for a sensational summer switch to Turkish side Yeni Malatyaspor.
The Hibs hit-man has one year left on his contract but Easter Road gaffer Neil Lennon is open to offers after securing Swiss striker Florian Kamberi on a threeyear deal.
Several Turkish clubs are understood to be on Murray’s trail, along with Motherwell and Dundee United.
Well reportedly saw a bid of £ 50,000 rejected by Hibs earlier this month, while a six- figure bid from Turkish side Elazigspor was knocked back in January. But Yeni Malatyaspor, who finished 10th in the Turkish top flight last season, are now leading the chase, having made a formal approach.
Murray’s Scottish suitors will be unable to match either the Turks’ transfer fee or their wage offer, leaving the door open for a deal to be thrashed out, potentially within the coming week.
n He led Celtic’s kids to glory as skipper, but Dundee United recruit Sam Wardrop insists the time was right for him to leave the Hoops this summer.
Wardrop spent eight years working his way through the ranks at Celtic, and ended up captaining the club’s Under-20s to victory over Rangers in the 2017 Scottish Youth Cup.
But, after spending last season on loan at Dumbarton, the 20- year- old caught the first- team football bug – and that made his decision to sign for Championship title hopefuls United an easy one.
“I was at Celtic for eight years and I really enjoyed my time there. I learned a lot because it’s a top, top club in Europe,” said Wardrop.
“You get exposed to lots of different things playing against top opposition and watching European teams, and it was really good for me.
“But I felt my time was up there. I wanted to be playing first-team football.” Wardrop may only be 20, but his experience as captain of Celtic’s kids brought out the leader in him.
But he can’t wait to get out on the pitch – starting with Tuesday night’s friendly with Brechin City.
“I was given the role at Celtic for a year and helped the boys win the youth cup,” he said. “I was one of the senior players in the under-20s at the time and tried to be a role model for the younger boys.
“I enjoyed being a leader amongst the team, but I can’t wait to get started here.”