FOOTBALLERS for the most part don’t live in the real world.

Indeed, we exist in a depressing era when already ridiculously rich young men are turning their back on £10m-a-year contracts with some of the biggest clubs in England because they can earn five times that in China; the league where all the top stars dreamed of playing in.

Even those not afforded such luxury tend to operate in a bubble. The money is good, hours short and they are among the very few doing something they love as a job. Dundee United’s Simon Murray is one of them but don’t think for a moment he doesn’t know what life is all about.

Murray began his career at Montrose, he played once, then floated about the junior leagues for a while, ending up at Arbroath and is now at Tannadice where the striker is one off this team’s better players.

There is pressure. Two more dropped points again Queen of the South meant Hibernian are now two wins ahead of second-placed United and the chasing pack edged that bit closer to the club relegated last season from the Premier League.

Hibs finished second twice and didn’t play the play-off two-legged final. Rangers did get there and were thrashed by Motherwell. In the Championship, first is everything, which is going to mean this season being a nervy one.

And Murray is one who wouldn’t have it any other way. The alternative is too much hard work.

“Going for the title doesn’t faze me. I love every minute of it,” admitted Murray. “I worked as plumber before this so I know what it is like to have a real job.

“There is a pressure but it is a good pressure to have. I enjoy it because there are more worrying things in life than playing football. I don’t take anything for granted and I don’t want to go back to what I was doing.

“I worked for my family business in Dundee and all my mates are still doing it. I worked on site, kitting out houses I used to work on Saturday mornings and then drive over to Tayport in my van for a 1.30 kick-off.”

Now that is real graft and it’s something Dundee United need to do themselves if they are to win promotion.

They shouldn’t have taken anything from this game. Queen of the South were the better side and just lost their way in the last 15 minutes which allowed the home side to come back from 3-1 to equalise. It prevented a third defeat in a row.

Ray McKinnon, the United manager, is an impressive character and by all accounts a fine coach; however, he needs to find a way of shoring up his midfield and defence which Queens found far too simple to by-pass.

Murray got his side’s first and third goals and hopes he can form a good partnership with new signing Thomas Mikkelsen.

“I’m happy to get two goals but disappointed not to get three points,” said the 24-year-old Dundonian. “I’m happy to play in a two upfront. If the manager brings in another striker hopefully I will play alongside him.

“I’m just trying to work hard and keep myself in the team. Hopefully with the two goals the manager will have seen that. I played a lot of my career with a partner and I’m crying out to play with someone else. That is more my game than a lone striker.

“I’m trying to work as hard as I can and it is a good feeling to score goals. I made a target at the start of the season and I’m just over half way there. My aim is 20 goals and I think I can do that. Any more would be a bonus.”

Queen of the South are a fine football club, which is why Premiership teams continue to send players to them.

Veteran Scott Dobbie was the best player on the park but he was helped by fellow goalscorers Jo Thomson from Celtic and Motherwell’s Dom Thomas, a lively winger who is enjoying getting some much-needed game-time.

“Lots of players have come to this club before and gone back as better players, so that was an attraction for me,” said Thomas. “Everything about the club has been brilliant. The training is excellent and I really think we can be higher up the league.”

Once again, the Championship is proving to be exciting at the top and bottom.