John Gibson: Too soon to hurry Ian Murray?

He’s given the best years of his footballing life to Hibernian. Two lengthy stints at Easter Road. Ian Murray feels it’s incumbent upon him to “give something back”, so he’s having his “Farewell to the Fans” on Saturday, July 7, at – in Jambo territory, it may be observed – the Corn Exchange, Chesser.

First a dinner at 8.30 hosted by Grant Stott and headlined by The Proclaimers, who tend to colour things green. Fifty quid will get you in, with the remainder of the evening to boot.

If you can’t afford the £50, later in the night, at the same venue, £20 secures admission to the swingingalong singalong and, yes, the Sunshine on Leith duo, the proclaiming Charlie and Craig Reid, will be there too.

Tickets from Ticketmaster or from Willie McEwan at 07836 535890

This will mark the final events in Ian’s testimonial year. He has been released by the club but, no surprise, he is determined not to sever his connections with the game, Talking about a coaching job last I heard.

My abiding recollection of the industrious midfielder is of a match where he had the date of a historic – some might say hysteric – score line imprinted in his hair. It’s a funny old game, football

Afterwords . .

. . . word in your ear from Dolly Parton, whose latest film, Joyful Noise, is released this weekend: “I may as well make fun of myself before anyone else does.” Speaking about Burt Reynolds on their 1982 film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, she said: “Burt and I have a lot in common. We both have 40-inch chests, we both wear heels and we both wear wigs.’’ Burt wasn’t best pleased.