Sunday 19th May 2013
THOUGH there is a huge amount of work still to be done in the close season, gaffer Ian Murray already has his mind fixed on next term – and a better start for resurgent Dumbarton in the First Division.
The Sons boss made his comments on BBC Alba this afternoon, during the course of a half-time interview at the Dunfermline versus Alloa Athletic play-off final for a place in the second tier of Scottish football in 2013/14.
“The way we finished this season has given us the appetite to get back into action in the First Division,” said Murray, adding that a positive start would be a help. Over the past few terms, Sons have struggled in the opening games and have then had to play catch up.
“The bottom line is the players turned it around, and assistant Jack Ross and I worked on a few things to help us progress,” the gaffer added modestly, when asked about how Dumbarton’s dramatic revival during this campaign.
Murray was “delighted” at the way things had turned out, he said, adding congratulations to former Hibs colleague Billy Brown as news came through that East Fife had beaten Peterhead in the Division Two play-off final.
There was another local connection to the Pars versus Wasps game, in addition to several ex-Sons players on display and our manager being a television summariser. The fourth official at the game was Dumbarton man Euan Anderson.
Although Dunfermline Athletic won the second leg of the First Division play-off final 1-0, Paul Hartley’s Alloa took the tie 3-1 on aggregate. Back-to-back promotions means they will face the Sons four times next season.
You can also read a full two-page interview with Ian Murray in last weekend’s Scotsman newspaper here.
Simon Barrow