Former Hibs striker Simon Murray hailed as ‘Premiership-quality’ after signing for League Two side Queen's Park

Simon Murray in action for Hibernian in July 2018. Pic: SNS Group Ross Parker

Former Hibs striker Simon Murray has signed for Queen’s Park in a move hailed as a major coup by the ambitious League Two side.

The 28-year-old has reunited with Spiders boss Ray McKinnon, who worked with the forward during his time in charge of Dundee United, following a spell in South Africa.

Murray, who started his senior career with Montrose and Arbroath, moved from Tannadice to Easter Road in the summer of 2017 and scored 14 goals in 29 appearances for Neil Lennon’s side before being loaned to Dundee midway through the season.

Hibs then sold the striker to South African club Bidvest Wits for an undisclosed fee in July 2018, however, after suffering a serious cruciate ligament injury last term, Murray rejected the option of another year with the Johannesburg-based side and returned to Scotland earlier this year.

Murray is still in recovery but Queen’s Park boss McKinnon believes the hit man will prove to be a “Premiership quality” signing once he is up to full fitness.

“This is a massive signing for the club and a real statement of intent regarding our ambitions,” McKinnon said.

“To be able to bring in a player of Simon’s calibre is hugely satisfying, and I would like to offer my thanks to everyone at the club who has worked hard to make this happen.

"Simon is a proven goal scorer who is humble and hard working. He has really bought into what we want to do at the club and I’m just delighted to have him on board.”

Queen’s Park are hoping to move up the divisions after turning professional last year which tempted Murray into the move to the bottom tier of the SPFL.

“It feels great to have joined the club,” he said. “I’ve been speaking to the manager over the last couple of weeks and it’s pleasing to get the deal done.

"It’s clearly an exciting time and I’m excited to be part of it. The ambitions of this club and where the club are looking to go were the driving factor in my decision to choose Queen’s Park and I can’t wait to get going.”