Ian Murray
Encyclopedia
Ian William Murray is a Scottish
professional
association football player who is captain of his home town
club Hibernian
. Murray has represented Scotland
six times. His versatility has seen him deployed in a variety of roles in his career, including centre back, full back and midfielder
. Murray has previously stated that he prefers to play at centre back or central midfield.
Murray started his career with Hibs, and captained the club in the 2004–05 season after Grant Brebner
left the club. Murray signed for Rangers
under freedom of contract in 2005, but he was troubled with injuries during his time at Ibrox
club; Murray was eventually diagnosed with a form of arthritis
. He was released by Rangers in August 2007 and signed for Norwich City
, but fell out of favour there after a managerial change. He returned to Hibs in January 2008, and was made vice captain of the team in July 2009.
.
on a Bosman free transfer in the summer of 2005, but injuries troubled him during his time at the club. It was eventually diagnosed that Murray was suffering from reactive arthritis
. His return to the team against was manager Paul Le Guen
's last match in charge.
following his release by Rangers in August 2007. He made his Norwich debut against Hull City
two days later, but Murray had a difficult start to his Norwich career due to illness. He was substituted at half-time in a League Cup tie at Rochdale after a dreadful performance, with Norwich manager Peter Grant admitting afterwards that he should not have played Murray as the player was unwell. Murray's health problems continued as he was ruled out of subsequent matches.
Grant left the club in October 2007, and Murray failed to establish himself in the Norwich first team under new boss Glenn Roeder
. In an interview given after his departure, Murray said of Roeder, "It was the first time in my life I felt like chucking it during a game, a lot of the players felt that way. He's an angry man, not nice to play for."
, Murray moved back to his first club, Hibernian
, on a contract until the end of the 2007–08 season
; he subsequently signed a deal to keep him at the club until 2010. Murray was a candidate for the Hibs captaincy after Rob Jones
left for Scunthorpe United
in the summer of 2009. New manager John Hughes decided to give the armband to Chris Hogg
, however, with Murray to serve as his vice captain.
Midway through the 2009–10 season, Hibs opened contract talks with Murray, whose contract was due to expire in the summer of 2010. At the same time, Murray started coaching
East of Scotland Football League
club Coldstream
on a part-time basis. A two year contract extension was agreed in February 2010.
Murray has spent the majority of his second spell at Hibs as a left back
, although manager Colin Calderwood
used Murray as a defensive midfielder to good effect as Hibs won 3–0 against Rangers in November 2010. The Daily Record
newspaper commented that Murray showed leadership qualities which had been previously lacking in a struggling Hibs side. Murray was appointed captain, on a temporary basis until the end of the season, when Chris Hogg
was released by the club.
Murray was awarded a testimonial
by Hibs in the 2011–12 season.
side; his debut for the full national team
came as a substitute against Canada
in October 2002, in a 3–1 win. He did not win another cap until two years later, when he came on during a World Cup 2006 qualifier at half time against Moldova
, in a 1–1 draw. His only start for the national team so far was a disappointing 1–0 home defeat against Belarus
, during which Murray was substituted at half time. In total he has won six caps for Scotland, although he admitted in October 2009 that he believes his international career is over after he was overlooked by George Burley
for a friendly match against Japan
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
association football player who is captain of his home town
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
club Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
. Murray has represented Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
six times. His versatility has seen him deployed in a variety of roles in his career, including centre back, full back and midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. Murray has previously stated that he prefers to play at centre back or central midfield.
Murray started his career with Hibs, and captained the club in the 2004–05 season after Grant Brebner
Grant Brebner
Grant Ian Brebner is a Scottish association football player, who currently plays for Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory. Born in Edinburgh, Brebner joined Manchester United as a 16-year-old in 1994, and although he was a member of the club's successful youth side, he failed to break into...
left the club. Murray signed for Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
under freedom of contract in 2005, but he was troubled with injuries during his time at Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
club; Murray was eventually diagnosed with a form of arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
. He was released by Rangers in August 2007 and signed for Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, but fell out of favour there after a managerial change. He returned to Hibs in January 2008, and was made vice captain of the team in July 2009.
Hibernian
Murray began his professional career with , where he was appointed captain for the 2004–05 season2004-05 in Scottish football
The 2004–05 season was the 108th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2004:*6 July 2004 - Nacho Novo from Dundee to Rangers, £450,000*1 July 2004 - Dado Prso from AS Monaco to Rangers, Bosman...
.
Rangers
Murray joined RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
on a Bosman free transfer in the summer of 2005, but injuries troubled him during his time at the club. It was eventually diagnosed that Murray was suffering from reactive arthritis
Reactive arthritis
Reactive arthritis , is classified as an autoimmune condition that develops in response to an infection in another part of the body. Coming into contact with bacteria and developing an infection can trigger the disease. Reiter's syndrome has symptoms similar to various other conditions collectively...
. His return to the team against was manager Paul Le Guen
Paul Le Guen
Paul Le Guen is a French football manager and former player. He was recently confirmed as new manager of the Oman national football team.Le Guen had a successful managerial career in France, most notably leading Olympique Lyonnais to three consecutive Ligue 1 titles. He has also managed Stade...
's last match in charge.
Norwich City
Murray signed for Norwich CityNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
following his release by Rangers in August 2007. He made his Norwich debut against Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
two days later, but Murray had a difficult start to his Norwich career due to illness. He was substituted at half-time in a League Cup tie at Rochdale after a dreadful performance, with Norwich manager Peter Grant admitting afterwards that he should not have played Murray as the player was unwell. Murray's health problems continued as he was ruled out of subsequent matches.
Grant left the club in October 2007, and Murray failed to establish himself in the Norwich first team under new boss Glenn Roeder
Glenn Roeder
Glenn Victor Roeder is an English football manager and former player, most recently in charge at Norwich City. As a player, Roeder represented England B on 7 occasions...
. In an interview given after his departure, Murray said of Roeder, "It was the first time in my life I felt like chucking it during a game, a lot of the players felt that way. He's an angry man, not nice to play for."
Return to Hibernian
After leaving NorwichNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, Murray moved back to his first club, Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
, on a contract until the end of the 2007–08 season
2007-08 in Scottish football
The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic...
; he subsequently signed a deal to keep him at the club until 2010. Murray was a candidate for the Hibs captaincy after Rob Jones
Rob Jones (footballer born 1979)
Robert William "Rob" Jones is an English footballer who currently plays as a centre back for League One club Sheffield Wednesday....
left for Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
in the summer of 2009. New manager John Hughes decided to give the armband to Chris Hogg
Chris Hogg
Christopher Francis "Chris" Hogg is an English footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Inverness Caledonian Thistle as a defender....
, however, with Murray to serve as his vice captain.
Midway through the 2009–10 season, Hibs opened contract talks with Murray, whose contract was due to expire in the summer of 2010. At the same time, Murray started coaching
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
East of Scotland Football League
East of Scotland Football League
The East of Scotland Football League is a league of football teams from south-east Scotland formed in 1923. It is one of Scotland's three "senior" non-leagues which sit below the Scottish Football League , the other two being the Highland Football League and the South of Scotland Football League...
club Coldstream
Coldstream F.C.
Coldstream Football Club are a Scottish football club from Coldstream in the Scottish Borders. The team plays in the East of Scotland Football League and home matches are played at Home Park. The team's strip is blue and white. The team was formed in 1895 ....
on a part-time basis. A two year contract extension was agreed in February 2010.
Murray has spent the majority of his second spell at Hibs as a left back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, although manager Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
used Murray as a defensive midfielder to good effect as Hibs won 3–0 against Rangers in November 2010. The Daily Record
Daily Record (Scotland)
The Daily Record is a Scottish tabloid newspaper based in Glasgow. It had been the best-selling daily paper in Scotland for many years with a paid circulation in August 2011 of 307,794 . It is now outsold by its arch-rival the Scottish Sun which in September 2010 had a circulation of 339,586 in...
newspaper commented that Murray showed leadership qualities which had been previously lacking in a struggling Hibs side. Murray was appointed captain, on a temporary basis until the end of the season, when Chris Hogg
Chris Hogg
Christopher Francis "Chris" Hogg is an English footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Inverness Caledonian Thistle as a defender....
was released by the club.
Murray was awarded a testimonial
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
by Hibs in the 2011–12 season.
International career
Murray captained the Scotland Under-21Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
side; his debut for the full national team
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
came as a substitute against Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
in October 2002, in a 3–1 win. He did not win another cap until two years later, when he came on during a World Cup 2006 qualifier at half time against Moldova
Moldova national football team
The Moldova national football team represents Moldova in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Moldova, the governing body for football in Moldova. Moldova's home ground is Zimbru Stadium in Chişinău and their head coach is Gavril Balint...
, in a 1–1 draw. His only start for the national team so far was a disappointing 1–0 home defeat against Belarus
Belarus national football team
The Belarus national football team represents Belarus in association football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Belarus, the governing body for football in Belarus. Belarus' home ground is Dinamo Stadium in Minsk...
, during which Murray was substituted at half time. In total he has won six caps for Scotland, although he admitted in October 2009 that he believes his international career is over after he was overlooked by George Burley
George Burley
George Elder Burley is a Scottish football manager and former player and manager, formerly the manager of Crystal Palace Football Club. Burley had a professional career spanning 21 years as a player making 628 appearances and earning 11 Scotland caps...
for a friendly match against Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
.