Fraser Murray knows work has only just begun at Hibs

Fraser Murray celebrates scoring for Hibs against Montrose. Pic: Neil Hanna

He may have been a total unknown when he was handed a first-team debut against Highland League Turriff United in last season’s Irn Bru Cup as boss Neil Lennon took the opportunity to rest a string of his frontline players.

But now the 18-year-old is making everyone sit up and take notice, his latest appearance in a green-and-white shirt earning him the man-of-the-match as Hibs crushed Montrose in their opening Betfred Cup match at the weekend.

It wasn’t, though, the first such accolade for the midfield rookie – he’d also been picked as the best player on the pitch in his first League appearance, a 3-2 win in the Championship over Raith Rovers in April.

Murray fires home his goal at Easter Road

Admitting that at present it feels this as good as it gets, Murray insisted he won’t be allowing his head to be turned, well aware that he’s got a lot of hard work ahead of him if he is to even make himself a first-team regular at Easter Road.

It has been, however, a promising start but far from having “come from nowhere”, the boy from Glasgow revealing that he’s been with Hibs for ten years, the faith being shown in him by Lennon a reward for those thrice weekly trips along the M8 to train at East Mains.

“It’s going well just now,” Murray agreed. “And I am enjoying myself. But it is a matter of continuing to work hard and try to use this as a platform to push on and try to force myself into the first-team squad.

“That’s the aim, to keep pushing myself as high as I can go and who knows what can happen. It’s a case of keeping my head down and trusting the manager and coaching staff to decide what’s best for me.”

Nevertheless, Murray admitted he’s already far beyond where he believed he might be at this stage in his career.

He said: “I’m from  Baillieston but I was scouted by Hibs when I was seven or eight and I have been with them ever since.

“There were training camps in Glasgow but they stopped when I was about 13 and I started coming through to Edinburgh three times a week, training Monday, Wednesday and Friday and usually a game at the weekend.

“I’ve got my dad Stuart to thank for bringing me through. We must have clocked up countless miles driving back and forward along the M8.

“But I have never wanted to be anything other than a football player, I was always out on the street playing with my friends.”

Murray appears to have slotted in seamlessly in midfield but that, he insisted, was down to having the likes of John McGinn and Dylan McGeouch alongside him.

He said: “Playing with players like that is a big lift for someone like myself. Dylan has had a few wise words, Simon Murray has helped me since I came in the door, while Lewis Stevenson and Davie Gray always have a bit of advice, what to do and not to do.”

Murray admitted his appearance against Montrose had come as something of a shock – just as each of his previous games had been.

“It was a bit of a surprise to be picked against Turriff, but brilliant to get the first goal in that game and then it was not only a surprise to play against Raith but to get the man-of-the-match award.

“At the weekend I knew I was in the squad but never thought I’d be playing. I was only told an hour before kick-off and again it was a bit of a surprise, but I was pleased.

“The manager just said to get turned and look forward all the time, to make forward passes and runs. To get my first Easter Road goal was a great moment for me. Hopefully there’s more to come.”

Speculation, of course, has been rife all summer as to who Lennon may be bringing in, every day seeming to bring forward a new name.

Steven Whittaker’s return made him the fifth signing with the prospect of more to come, although Murray is delighted that as he seeks to strengthen his squad, Lennon isn’t overlooking the young talent on his own doorstep.

He said: “It’s nice to know the manager will give young players a chance. He’s done that with me, Ryan Porteous, Oli Shaw and a few others during pre-season. In the under-20s we have a good bunch of boys and it helps to have each other. We support each other, set ourselves high standards and push one another on.”