Raith poised to appoint Grant Murray as new manager

Stark’s Park skipper Grant Murray is set to be appointed Raith Rovers player/manager in the coming days.

The Fife outfit are keen to find a replacement for John McGlynn, who was appointed Hearts manager last week, as swiftly as possible with pre-season training already in full swing. Initial talks between the board and veteran skipper Murray have been very positive.

The 36-year-old joined Rovers in 2009 and has become one of the most influential signings of McGlynn’s reign at the club. He is seen as the perfect candidate to provide continuity, having worked closely with the previous manager.

He also brings a wealth of playing experience to the position, turning out for Hearts, St Johnstone, Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock, while playing over 100 games for Raith. He will continue as a member of the playing squad.

Murray, who has been working diligently towards attaining Uefa coaching badges of late, is one of the full-time players at the club, so would be able to make the required commitment to managerial duties.

McGlynn’s former assistant manager, Paul Smith, is interim manager at the club but is a part-time employee and has not applied for the vacancy due to work commitments. However, he will retain his position as assistant to Murray, adding further continuity.

Should there be an unlikely hitch in negotiations the cash-strapped First Division side could be forced to examine other candidates.

Colin Cameron, Paul Hartley and ex-Ayr manager Brian Reid have been linked with the post, while former Hearts and Hibs assistant manager Billy Brown is thought to be interested.