Grant Murray hails Raith’s dream start to the new campaign

By COLLEEN STRACHAN
Published on 15/08/2012 12:25

GRANT MURRAY admitted today that he couldn’t have wished for a better start to his managerial career.

The new Raith Rovers boss has kicked the 2012/13 season off in some style, seeing his side make it past Wick Academy in the first round of the Ramsdens Cup, beat Berwick Rangers in the Scottish Communities League Cup and then bag all three points in their league opener at home to Hamilton Accies on Saturday.

That trio of victories has set Murray’s side up, but he refused to take all of the credit for their success so far, instead hailing his number two, Paul Smith for the part that he has played.

Murray conceded: “It has been a good start for us. Saturday was our first league game. We had already had two cup ties and were delighted to get through.

“Our game at the weekend was at home and there was a real buzz about the place. Everyone was excited and looking forward to it and I think that all contributed to us getting a good result.

“I’ve got Paul Smith as my assistant and he is a great guy. I think that he is going to be invaluable to me this season.”

Murray is player/manager at Stark’s Park, although he missed out on Saturday through injury, and he revealed that getting used to being in charge of the team instead of simply playing as part of it, has been a bit of a transition.

“It’s a totally different side to things for me”, he added. “On Saturday I couldn’t play because I was injured and that kind of magnified everything.

“As a player you are used to just preparing yourself for a game, whereas as a manager you are responsible for preparing a whole team.

“It is certainly something 
different, but it is something that I am really enjoying.”

Murray revealed that he’s had regular chats with former manager John McGlynn, who quit the Kirkcaldy side to step into the Tynecastle hotseat at the beginning of last month.

And he admitted that he has learned vast amounts from the Hearts boss.

He continued: “I’ve had a few chats with him here and there. I had three fantastic years working here with John. He brought me to the club and made me captain and I have learned so much from him.

“I have had a lot of good managers throughout my career and I have learned things from them all, but John has certainly been a big influence on me.

“Before he left Raith, he told me that he was at the other end of the phone. I know that he has got his own club to take care of now, but it’s good knowing that I can talk to him if anything comes up.”