Ian Murray has confirmed he is ‘ready’ to step back into football management with the vacant St Johnstone job in his sights.
The McDiarmid Park side began the season with Craig Levein at the helm after the former Hearts boss retained their top-flight status last campaign.
Levein secured a 3-0 away win against Kilmarnock but lost his other four Scottish Premiership games. And that was enough for the Saints hierarchy to sound the death knell and sack him.
As a result, St Johnstone are on the lookout for a new boss to turn the tide and they are already receiving interest from across Scotland for the top job.
Out-of-work former Hibs and Scotland defender Murray is one of those having last managed Championship outfit Raith Rovers.
He almost led them to promotion to the Premiership last season but lost to Ross County in the relegation play-off final.
Now, Murray has told the Edinburgh Evening News that after a well-needed break over the summer, he is determined to get back into management.
Ian Murray would ‘enjoy’ St Johnstone job
Asked directly about the St Johnstone vacancy,, Murray replied: “I think it’s a really, really good job. A really good football club. And not a lot of people know that my grandfather used to play for St Johnstone. So there has always been a wee link there.
“My grandfather’s name was William McRoberts, my mum’s dad. Obviously, I never saw him play, but my mum swears he was the best player in the team – but I think she might be a bit biased!
“It’s a football club I would enjoy going into. I look at where they are, and I see there is improvement to come from them, definitely.
“I have to say, I thought Craig was there for the long haul. I didn’t see that coming, having been at Easter Road for their game – and thinking that St Johnstone were the better team for long periods of that one. So it’s certainly not a lost cause.”
“I’m looking to get back in at some point, when the time is right. You can’t dictate when that happens.
“And I’ve been very fortunate to be so well looked after by football guys, in Scotland in particular but also beyond, which means I’ve got a busy couple of weeks coming up. I’m looking to learn a bit more.
“I’m going to go into Celtic this week, hopefully, which will be great. I’ve been contacted by so many guys up here and down south, inviting me to go in and have a look at what they do.
“I also had a couple of weeks doing nothing, which was important. Just doing stuff with the family, a couple of personal trips, taking my eldest to London to see some games because he’s football daft. But I’m ready to go back in, put it that way.”
Scott Brown also keen on St Johnstone role
As alluded to, Murray has competition for the St Johnstone gig with current Ayr United gaffer Scott Brown reportedly keen on the jump too.
The Daily Mail say the former Hibee would like to speak to Saints owner Adam Webb over potentially replacing Craig Levein.
Brown has worked wonders at Somerset Park so far this season after taking over in January. After seven games, Ayr are top of the Championship on goal difference and fans are excited to see how far Brown can take them.
But the Honest Men will be concerned by Brown’s alleged interest in moving north to Perth as it remains to be seen how events will unfold.
St Johnstone face Celtic on Saturday evening with interim manager Andy Kirk set to lead the team if a successor isn’t found before then.