GET the tabloid headlines prepared and the photographers ready to catch Ian Murray when he makes his way to Ibrox on Tuesday evening. After a feeding frenzy over the playing future of the Hibs captain in recent weeks, the 22-year-old will travel to the home of Rangers, the team he is constantly linked with, to make his way to the visitors' section to shout on Arsenal.
''No doubt when people see me there the tongues will start wagging but they'll be a bit confused when they see me go past the main door and into the Arsenal end,'' said Murray with a broad grin on his face.
The trip to see Arsene Wenger's men in action is a labour of love for the man who is one of the best prospects in the country and who has supported Arsenal as his favourite English team since he was a boy. In Scotland, his first love was always Hibs, but he also had a soft spot for the men from Highbury and his favourite player Ian Wright, hence the fact he will travel with friends to see them in action at Ibrox.
Before that Murray has the grandly titled Festival Cup to contest today when Hibs take on Hearts in a friendly match which has failed to capture anyone's imagination thus far. Not surprisingly Murray admits taking on their arch rivals in a pre-season match is a difficult proposition but is all part of the learning process for a man who was handed the captain's armband at a comparatively young age.
Murray is no great cricket fan but was aware that the South African cricket establishment was shocked when 22-year-old Graeme Smith was appointed captain. He was far too young the old bufties
chorused but the youngster showed his mettle against England at Egbaston with a South African record of 277.
There were some detractors when Bobby Williamson handed the captaincy to Murray at such a young age but, like his cricket counterpart, the mantle of responsibility has rested well on his shoulders.
During his time as captain he has been in charge of such strong personalities as Mixu Paatelainen and Mathias Jack, both of whom had great respect for his ability to boss things on the park.
Off it, Murray is an articulate young man with a single-mindedness which belies his years. This time round he is working with a much younger, mostly home-based set of players, who will look to him for guidance in much the same way he used
to receive advice from the legendary Franck Sauzee when he was a youngster.
''I'm not one of those people who shouts at my team-mates on the park because that attitude can shatter players' confidence, particularly if they are young,'' said Murray. ''You want to keep everybody up-beat and confident when they play.''
Although he has remained upbeat and confident on the park, both he and Grant Brebner, Hibs supporters and local boys, have been the focus of concerns from the Easter Road fans over a proposed ground share with Hearts at Straiton in Midlothian. ''Financially, such a move would help both clubs but being honest both sets of fans wouldn't like it,'' he said. ''I'm not sure if it will happen in the end as it has been talked about before and from the players point of view it wouldn't make that much difference.''
In saying that, Murray admits that the twice-a-year trip across to Tynecastle is one he cherishes and would be loathe to see brought to an end. ''I love going to Tynecastle and playing in the derby matches there,'' he said. ''The stands are high, the atmosphere great and the fans from both sides passionate, it would sad to lose that.''
Murray has great faith in Williamson whom he believes can turn around a Hibernian side which has drastically under-achieved and never really built on the foundations laid down by Alex McLeish before he moved to Rangers.
The fans-supported, but in hindsight dreadful appointment of Sauzee as manager, was quickly brought to an end, leaving Williamson to pick up the pieces.
Murray believes his mettle as a manager will show through this season and that the good times will return to Easter Road under his tutelage.
It is also the year that Murray has a great chance to breakthrough on the international stage at a time when Berti Vogts appeared to ignore his talents in favour of trying out
a group of journeymen, the majority of whom have quickly sank back into obscurity.
His only run out for the national team came in a 3-1 win over Canada at Easter Road but, despite a series of good performances, hasn't
figured since under Vogts.
''I think I still have time on my side to play for Scotland and you can never expect to be in the national squad,'' added Murray.
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