Ian Murray appointed manager of St Mirren

Former Hibs’ captain Ian Murray has been appointed as the new manager of St Mirren Football Club.

Lifelong Hibs’ fan, Murray joined the club from Dundee United as a 16 year old and enjoyed a successful period under Alex McLeish before moving to Rangers, Injury hampered his career at Ibrox and he moved to Norwich City before returning to Easter Road under Mixu Paatelainen. He won six Scotland caps.

After hanging up his boots, Murray took over as Dumbarton manager in November 2012 steering them to safety in that season’s First Division by clinching 7th spot. The following season he led  the  Sons in the battle for a playoff place for the Premiership but they just fell behind Queen of the South in the race for 4th spot.

St Mirren Chairman, Stewart Gilmour said, “Ian is a young ambitious manager who impressed the interview panel with his desire to go on to higher things in football. We are very grateful to Dumbarton FC for their cooperation and allowing St Mirren FC the opportunity to speak to Ian as we know he will be a loss to their own club such has been the success he has enjoyed in his time there. Having managed in the Championship for two and half seasons he is well aware of the challenges ahead in the coming season for St Mirren.”

Ian Murray said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to come to St Mirren FC. The Club has a fantastic infrastructure in place with its own training facility and successful youth academy and I hope to develop and enhance the position of the Club going forward. I would like to thank everyone connected with Dumbarton FC for giving me the chance in 2012 and hopefully they have seen progress over the past two and a half years.”