Dumbarton ended all speculation about the future of their sought after Manager Ian Murray earlier this week when they agreed a new two year with the former Scotland international.
Murray had been widely tipped to succeed Danny Lennon at St. Mirren and mentioned as a possible new manager at Morton however he was delighted to remain at the Sons.
The 33-year-old has already had a successful 18 month spell at the Bet Butler Stadium and Edinburgh born Murray is excited as he could be facing both Hibs and Hearts next season.
Murray guided the Sons away from relegation to Scotland's third tier in his opening 6 months in charge after taking over from Alan Adamson. This season he took them to within a whisker of making the Premiership promotion play-offs before they lost out to Queen of the South.
It was however Dumbarton’s highest finish since 1985 and former Hibs, Rangers and Norwich City player Murray said: "It was a bit of surprise to see myself linked with the St Mirren job as I knew last Thursday that I was coming to complete the paperwork to remain here."
"I cannot control what people write or say and Danny Lennon only left on the Monday so it would have been a very quick appointment if I was going in. Hearts probably had their move with Craig Levein planned in advance."
"I had been getting texts and phone calls about it and people were telling me things that I knew were not true but trying to convince them otherwise was difficult. I cannot control things like that but my future is here."
Murray was not looking to leave Dumbarton anyway as he explained "It was a relatively easy decision to make as we have created a really good team here. I am excited about them playing in what will be a tough Championship next season."
"I enjoy being here and it fits into my family life. Dumbarton gave me a break in management and I am grateful for that. I have said for the past few months that Dumbarton have been good for me and I have been good for Dumbarton."
Despite their success this season Murray said: “staying in the Championship first and foremost will be our priority and anything above that will be a bonus again.”
Murray joked: "You could say it as a sense of loyalty that has kept me here and I will be reminding the directors about loyalty next season in the Championship that will contain a lot of very good teams."
Moves to a full time club can wait for Murray who added: "I am not going to lie and say I do not want to be a full time manager, I do, but at the moment I am really happy at Dumbarton."
"I enjoy training and game days cannot come quick enough for me."
Murray now plans to re-sign the majority of the squad that took his side into fifth place and gave Dundee United and Aberdeen difficult cup ties whilst playing attacking football.
"The players were panicking a bit," said Murray before adding: "But I told them that once I was signed up again we would get them sorted and we will start doing that now."
"The players have been fantastic for me over my 18 months and I will look to add one or two more."
Murray will take his side against one side from his native Edinburgh next season and it could even be two for the former Easter Road man and the prospect both excites and disappoints him as he explained: "If we had made the play-offs we could have been facing Hibs for a place in the Premiership and that would have been unthinkable not that long ago. Falkirk and Hamilton are capable of beating Hibs so I could still face them next season."
"We could actually face them 9 times with the league, play-offs and the three cups. Things have changed in Scottish football with the likes of Ross County and Inverness moving up but I never envisaged Hibs being in the Championship."
"As a Hibs supporter I do not want them in the Championship however as a Championship manager it is an exciting prospect. We already have games coming up against Rangers and Hearts so it is an exciting time for the club."
As for facing Hearts Murray has already told his players that they will get a free ride from the crowd as he explained: "I would imagine no-one will be paying much attention to the players when we pitch up at Tynecastle. I will be getting it from the crowd but I am looking forward it. It is a great stadium with a great atmosphere and something fantastic for Dumbarton to be involved in."
Murray explained that the Sons squad made his decision easier, as they were the best group of players he has worked with as he explained "I am not judging them on football ability but as a group of guys this squad are great. I have played with Hibs, Rangers and Norwich and they are by far the best group of guys I have seen at a football club in terms of how they train, their attitude and the camaraderie together.”
“How they work with myself and my assistant Jack Ross as well as the kit man and the physio they are terrific. It is a fantastic place for players to play."
Murray is hoping to provide a future full of growth for Dumbarton to build on as he explained: “I want to help try and help the club build a platform for development in years to come. That might take one year, two years, three years, whatever it takes that is my aim now because I think this is a big chance for us.”
“I can see this club doing what the likes of Ross County have done and building a club that grows alongside their community. It would be great to develop Dumbarton along the same lines as Ross County have.”
Dumbarton Chief Executive Gilbert Lawrie said: “It is quite a coup for Dumbarton to keep Ian. There were no real concerns when other jobs came up as Ian enjoys it here and has been successful.”
“He has had a fantastic 18 months and hopefully he can have a fantastic 24 months now.”
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