Murray tips Hibs to turn it all around

IAN MURRAY today insisted he wouldn't bet against Hibs rising to third place in the SPL table despite the Easter Road outfit's miserable start to the season.

While the utility man accepted such thoughts may provoke much mirth - particularly on the other side of the Capital - he claimed that even though Hibs currently sit ninth in the SPL with just eight points from their opening nine games, it wasn't beyond the bounds of possibility.

Pointing out how both arch-rivals Hearts and Dundee United had come with late runs last season, the Gorgie outfit almost snatching a place in Europe with the Tayside club leapfrogged Hibs to take third spot, Murray was adamant the complexion of the SPL table can rapidly change.

While Hibs may be only three points off bottom place they are also just eight off Motherwell who are currently third, leading Murray to say: "All it takes is a decent run. We have to keep plugging away and we know we have the talent and the mental toughness to turn results the other way.

"If I sit here and say we are going to finish third people will say they are sick and tired of hearing such things. We have to be realistic, but that's not to say we cannot finish third. I am not definitely saying we will challenge for third but equally I am not saying we cannot do that. Last season both Dundee United and Hearts came with late runs. United were seven or eight points behind us at Christmas but had overtaken us by the end of March so things can change really quickly."

Murray accepted, however, that Hibs' primary target at present must be to make the top six, both for the club's pride and the financial rewards that it brings. "That's where the club and players make their money. We need to be there to get the big games after the split. If we did not it would be disappointing, the club needs it to generate cash and as players that's where we want to be."

Murray admitted he's desperate to play his part having been limited to only a few minutes of SPL action this season, picking up a troublesome hip/groin problem after missing the opening two games through suspension, but revealed he may need another week or two to convince new boss Colin Calderwood of his fitness.

He said: "It's been frustrating. When you are told how long you are going to be injured you can prepare mentally but then you see disappointing results.

"It's easy to sit in the stand and be critical but it is a completely different game when you are down there so I try not to be too harsh on the boys. There's no doubt confidence is a big thing for every player, for every team.

"You look at Aberdeen's second goal, on a good day the ball sails into the goalkeeper's hands. We also had a couple of chances which would have put us two up, again, when you are on form they hit the back of the net.

"But the fans are sick and tired of hearing that, they just want to see a winning team on the pitch."