EXCLUSIVE: Ian Murray opens up on Raith Rovers ‘transparency’ after talks with Dundee

The Stark's Park boss spoke to Courier Sport after being approached about the Dens Park vacancy.

By Craig Cairns

May 30 2023, 10:42am

Raith Rovers manager Ian Murray was shortlisted for the Dundee vacancy. Image: SNS.

Ian Murray has revealed that he held talks with Dundee over their recent vacancy but was not offered the job.

The Raith Rovers boss responded after some “jumped the gun” when claiming he was in line to take over at Dens Park.

Last week betting was suspended on Murray but this week Dundee instead unveiled former Kilmarnock and Aberdeen assistant Tony Docherty as the man to lead their Premiership campaign.

New Dundee manager Tony Docherty. Image: Craig Williamson/SNS

Murray said that despite speaking to Dundee, he was always focused on the job at Raith.

Complete transparency

“I think people will always jump the gun on a few things – the media and all that. It happens,” Murray told Courier Sport.

“We [the club and I] were always completely transparent with each other and always working away as normal because that’s what you have to do.

Ian Murray sais he was always focused on Raith Rovers. Image: SNS

“That’s the beauty of the structure that we have now: it will always be in a pretty strong position regardless of what’s going on around it.”

Burden shared

That was apparent when Rovers announced their third summer signing on Monday – striker Jack Hamilton.

Jack Hamilton has signed for Raith Rovers. Image: Tony Fimister.

Last summer after taking the job, Murray was constantly putting out fires and juggling a few roles.

Now, with John Potter in as technical director, the burden is shared – particularly when it comes to transfers.

“Pottsy is brilliant. We’re in constant contact every day,” added the Rovers boss. “It’s not a case of I go and sign a player or he goes and signs a player, far from it.

More streamlined

“We sit down and we discuss what we like. Pottsy will do the groundwork in terms of agents and contacts, sussing them out.

John Potter has taken over as Raith Rovers’ technical director. Image: SNS

“Then if it gets past that stage, it doesn’t always, then I’ll speak to them as well about the football side.

“It’s a much more streamlined structure. It’s a structure I’m used to working in at Airdrie.

Potter’s niche

“It’s not alien to me and in the top leagues it’s pretty normal now.

Ian Murray worked under a similar structure at Airdrie. Image: SNS.

“It takes the burden off everybody and it helps. It just makes things that wee bit easier for myself, albeit John is having to deal with a lot of agents at the moment.

“But he’s good at it and that’s important. It’s a niche that John is very good at.”