The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Murray reveals talks over Dundee vacancy
Ian Murray has revealed that he held talks with Dundee over their recent vacancy but was not offered the job. The Raith Rovers boss responded after some “jumped the gun” when claiming he was in line to take over at Dens Park.
Last week betting was suspended on Murray but this week Dundee instead unveiled former Kilmarnock and Aberdeen assistant Tony Docherty as the man to lead their Premiership campaign.
Murray said that despite speaking to Dundee, he was always focused on the job at Raith.
“I think people will always jump the gun on a few things – the media and all that. It happens,” said Murray.
“We (the club and I) were always completely transparent with each other and always working away as normal because that’s what you have to do.
“That’s the beauty of the structure that we have now: It will always be in a pretty strong position regardless of what’s going on around it.”
That was apparent when Rovers announced their second summer signing on
Monday, striker Jack Hamilton.
Last summer after taking the job, Murray was constantly putting out fires and juggling a few roles.
Now, with John Potter in as technical director, the burden is shared – particularly when it comes to transfers.
“Pottsy is brilliant. We’re in constant contact every day,” added the Rovers boss. “It’s not a case of I go and sign a player or he goes and signs a player, far from it.
“We sit down and we discuss what we like. Pottsy will do the groundwork in terms of agents and contacts, sussing them out.
“Then if it gets past that stage – it doesn’t always – then I’ll speak to them as well about the football side.
“It’s a much more streamlined structure. It’s a structure I’m used to working in at Airdrie.
“It takes the burden off everybody and it helps. It just makes things that wee bit easier for myself, albeit John is having to deal with a lot of agents at the moment. But he’s good at it and that’s important.
“It’s a niche that John is very good at.”
Afew days ago, Raith Rovers supporters were unsure if they were going to hold on to their manager.
Then, on Monday, it was revealed Ian Murray would not be taking up the recent vacancy at Dundee and those same Rovers fans’ attention turned to hailing the club’s latest signing.
After the Dens Park club had unveiled Tony Docherty as manager, Raith announced the signing of 22-year-old striker Jack Hamilton for a nominal fee.
Discussions had been ongoing with the player for around three weeks before the deal was completed and was in no way disrupted by the speculation surrounding the manager.
Murray also tried to sign the player last season before his loan move to Hartlepool.
“We had a look at it last season, but just couldn’t afford it and he went down to Hartlepool which was a good move for him,” Murray told Courier Sport.
“We looked at it again, they’d changed manager down there and found out what Livingston were thinking.
“It was a pretty straightforward deal, to be truthful. Jack was really keen to come to the club. We waited for the season to finish and finalised it.
“I think every team in the league would have taken Jack for their squad last season.
“It gives us the opportunity to build a team with decent players round about him as well.”
The Rovers boss has long been an admirer of Hamilton, since coming up against the striker while he was on loan at East Fife.
Hamilton found the net 18 times that season, including a double against Murray’s Airdrie.
“It doesn’t guarantee anything, but to get a player of his quality and pay a nominal fee shows that if the players are there and willing, we’re happy to push the boat that wee bit further for some,” added Murray.
“I remember him doing really well in League One as well. He was always a threat when he was playing against us.
“Then he stepped up to the Championship and scored goals there.
“He’s an out-and-out striker. It’s very hard to find them nowadays.
“He reminds me of an old-fashioned striker. He’ll run the channels if you ask him, but he likes to do his work when the ball is coming into the box. He has predatory instincts.”
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He’s an out-and-out striker. It’s very hard to find them