NEW ST Mirren manager Ian Murray has set his sights on reaching the SPFL Championship play-offs next season after agreeing a two-year deal with the Paisley club.
The 34 year-old leaves Dumbarton, where he has been in charge for the past two-and-a-half years, to succeed Gary Teale who had been in interim charge at St Mirren since December.
Murray, who won't be in the dug-out for his new side's final league game of the season away to Hamilton Accies today, knows first-hand how tough a division the Championship is but hoped St Mirren could make a decent stab at trying to get straight back up again to the top division.
He said: "The Championship is a very tough league and, if you under-estimate it, you'll find yourself struggling. It's very hard to claw anything back in this league so momentum is key but, if we get the right players in, I'm sure we can go and challenge.
"We're still not sure who'll be in the league from Rangers, Hibs and Motherwell so we need to assess that. But we'd like to think that we could challenge for the play-offs. There's no reason why we can't finish high up that table"
Murray arrives without a backroom team and will speak to Teale, who was one of the five-man shortlist interviewed by chairman Stewart Gilmour, to see if he has any interest in staying at the club beyond the summer. "It is an unusual situation because Gary is still here and he has another year left on his playing contract," added the former Hibs and Rangers midfielder. "I spoke to him earlier, I will speak to him tomorrow and I will probably speak again on Sunday. I was interviewed late on Thursday night and then I got the call on Friday morning to say I had the job so it has all happened very quickly."
Murray's first remit when he starts the job properly on Monday will be to assess his playing squad for next season. With 16 players out of contract, he is aware of the size of the task ahead of him.
"It is something I am used to dealing with at Dumbarton because we only dealt in one-year contracts," he added. "So I am used to rebuilding teams. But I need to look for players who can help us at least challenge for top spot in this division.
"We have some good young players which is vital in the Championship as you need plenty energy around the pitch. If we can scatter them around with a few experienced guys then hopefully we can start the campaign on the front foot. "
One player likely to be moving on is John McGinn. The talented midfielder is out of contract and talks with the club regarding an extension have stalled. Murray, though, has not given up hope yet.
"John is a good young player who has had no game time recently on account of his injury. We're hopeful that, with me coming in, I can persuade him to stay for another couple of years.
"I'd like to help him progress. I worked with his brother, Paul, at Dumbarton and got him a move to Dundee. Hopefully, that will give us an advantage. There's no doubt that if we can hold on to him then he will be a massive asset for us in the Championship."
Gilmour added: "Ian is a young ambitious manager who impressed the interview panel with his desire to go on to higher things in football. Having managed in the Championship for two and half seasons he is well aware of the challenges ahead in the coming season for St Mirren."
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