Innes Murray not giving up on Hibs dream as he discusses Alloa loan and Easter Road first-team hopes

Spare a thought for central midfielder Innes Murray, who is knocking on the door of the Hibs first team at a time when the Easter Road side is bursting at the seams with players capable of filling his position.
Innes Murray is put through his paces at the Hibernian Training CentreInnes Murray is put through his paces at the Hibernian Training Centre
Innes Murray is put through his paces at the Hibernian Training Centre

He is the lesser known of the two Murrays at the club, with namesake Fraser impressing on loan at Dunfermline Athletic while Innes does likewise at Alloa Athletic.

Peter Grant’s side are currently bottom of the Scottish Championship on 12 points but just six points off fifth place in one of the most intriguing second-tier campaigns for a long while.

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The on-loan Hibee has made 11 appearances for the Wasps, scoring once and registering two assists, and is hopeful of an upturn in fortunes for the Clackmannanshire side.

Battling for the ball with Celtic's Karamoko Dembele during a reserve friendly match at East MainsBattling for the ball with Celtic's Karamoko Dembele during a reserve friendly match at East Mains
Battling for the ball with Celtic's Karamoko Dembele during a reserve friendly match at East Mains

Murray said: “Things are going well [at Alloa]. The last few weeks have been a bit tricky; we've had a couple of defeats but we just need to get back to doing what we were doing at the start of the season and hopefully we can go on a wee run again.

"I'm also just glad to still be playing; there are five or six other boys at Hibs who are out on loan and aren't playing at the moment because the lower leagues have been suspended, so we’re lucky to still be playing in the Championship.”

Hibee v Hibee

In a strange twist Murray will face off against two of his Hibs colleagues in Fraser Murray and Jamie Gullan in two of Alloa’s next three games and the former Celtic youngster revealed there will be no football talk between the former development squad team-mates before either game.

Keeping a close eye on Hearts' Jamie Walker during Alloa's Betfred Cup win against the Tynecastle outfitKeeping a close eye on Hearts' Jamie Walker during Alloa's Betfred Cup win against the Tynecastle outfit
Keeping a close eye on Hearts' Jamie Walker during Alloa's Betfred Cup win against the Tynecastle outfit
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“I don't think it will be strange; once you’re on the pitch it doesn’t really matter who you're facing.

"I’m sure we’ll have a wee chat after the game – a few of us are in a group chat so we talk all the time anyway.

"There'll no tactical discussion before the match, but I'm sure we'll have a good chat afterwards.”

Ross advice and pre-season efforts

Murray (centre) takes the plaudits after scoring against Inverness Caledonian ThistleMurray (centre) takes the plaudits after scoring against Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Murray (centre) takes the plaudits after scoring against Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Murray was one of a number of younger players invited to train with Jack Ross’ first-team squad during pre-season, before opting to head out on loan in order to get regular gametime.

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Highly regarded at East Mains by coaches and backroom staff, the midfielder feels he gave a good account of himself in the summer, but didn't want to waste time once the season started.

“I think the manager was pretty happy with how I'd done in pre-season but he gave me the option either to sit about in hope and wait for a chance [in the first team] or go out and get a season of first-team football,” he explained.

"He put me in contact with Alloa because he still knows the chairman from his time managing there, and he said it would be a good fit for both of us, so that’s what I decided to do.”

Why Alloa loan is different

Murray's loan stint is his third in recent seasons, having spent a period of time with Stenhousemuir prior to the two clubs agreeing a partnership, while a similar spell with Airdrieonians under former Hibs captain and namesake Ian Murray was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic.

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“I only played five or six games for Airdrie,” Murray recalled. “I went in the January and by March the season got stopped.

"Alloa is a higher level than I've played at previously but I also feel I’m more experienced. Before, I was going into new clubs and just seeing what happened but now I feel able to talk to the manager and see how he thinks I can fit in, and how I can impact the team rather than just going in and doing what I’m told.

"The gaffer has told me how he wants the team to play, and what part I can play in that, and I think we suit each other quite well.

"He wants to get the ball down and pass, and I’m quite happy to do that. He's also played me in quite a few positions which has helped my game.

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"He’s had me out on the left, and in the middle as well which I'm more used to.”

High standards

Hibs have had three permanent managers since Murray joined the club in the summer of 2016 in Neil Lennon, Paul Heckingbottom, and Jack Ross.

Each new boss, however, means a certain degree of starting from square one for those players trying to force their way into first-team plans.

Murray continued: “It has been hard with the managerial changes but it's the same for all the players around about my age. You're always hoping a manager takes a chance but you've got to look at yourself as well; how you can improve every day by getting your head down and working hard in training.

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“The change in managers hasn't helped but if I was good enough then I would be already playing [in the first team] so I think it's a bit of both.”

Uncertain future

As for his future at Easter Road there is an element of doubt but Murray, who turned 23 yesterday, remains focused on putting in the hard yards at the Indodrill Stadium regardless of what happens.

"I think my contract's up in the summer but there's an option to extend so I'm not too sure what's happening just yet.

"As a Hibs fan, all I've wanted to do since joining the club is make my debut for the first team so it would be great to get that chance but I’ll have to wait and see if that’s coming or not.

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"If there was a chance to progress at Hibs then that would be ideal for me but if not, hopefully I can stay full-time as long as possible and make a living playing football.”

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