Managerial team can focus on promotion now contracts are settled

RAITH ROVERS manager Grant Murray has pledged to repay the confidence shown in him by the club’s board in handing him a new contract.

The 38-year-old recently put pen to paper on a new deal, along with assistant Paul Smith and first team coach Laurie Ellis.

All three can now focus their efforts towards keeping the Kirkcaldy club in the promotion picture and Murray is certainly working towards that goal come May.

“The three of us, myself, Paul and Laurie, but especially myself and Laurie, were grateful to get the opportunity two years ago and the board have shown another bit of faith in us again,” he said.

“Obviously Paul was already at the club as assistant manager, and myself and Laurie were more than happy to work with Paul and it’s been fantastic. I hope that continues.

“Obviously I’m at an age now and with the opportunity I’ve been given, playing is not my most important thing.

“I know there’s not a lot of people playing at my age, so I’ve had to get the balance right with that.

“Last year was a wee bit different because I think the onus was maybe on me more to be involved and play as well but now we’ve got a squad where, if everyone’s fit, it’s a good enough squad to keep me out.

“That lets me concentrate on the manager’s role.”

Murray has dealt well with the transition from player to player/manager and has improved his CV this season by notching two manager of the month awards and guiding Rovers to the Ramsdens Cup final.

He has no regrets about taking over from John McGlynn in July last year.

“Things have gone reasonably well over the last 1 ½ years,” the former Rovers player added.

“I knew everyone, how the club worked and everyone who worked at the club so it’s been a good move for me.”