Wednesday, April 24, 2024
In BriefSt Mirren manager Ian Murray insists he was behind Alex Miller appointment

St Mirren manager Ian Murray insists he was behind Alex Miller appointment

BY DARREN JOHNSTONE @CCP_Sport

St Mirren manager Ian Murray insists he was behind the decision to bring in Alex Miller as his number two.

Former Buddies and Hibs boss Miller has linked up with Murray in the dugout after Mark Spalding was axed as assistant manager on Monday.

The reshuffle comes in the wake of a poor run of form in the league, with Saints currently sitting eighth in the Championship, five points ahead of basement side Alloa.

St Mirren Park
Alex Miller has joined the Buddies following Mark Spalding’s exit

 

Miller, who was first team coach at Liverpool with the Anfield club won the Champions League in 2005, has already dismissed suggestions that he will eventually replace Murray as manager.

And Murray insists the 66-year-old’s vast experience is exactly what he and his team needs as the Paisley outfit bid to turn their season around.

Murray said: “It was something we felt we needed to do at this time, bring in some more experience for myself and the payers.

“Alex’s name came up very quickly and it happened very quickly

“We just felt for everybody it was the right move forward. He’s had a tremendous career both playing and managing, and as a first team coach at some big big clubs.

“When you have someone like to tap into, and having the knowledge that he has working with the calibre of players he has at both ends of the scale, I just felt – if it was someone we could get in – it would be the ideal choice.”

Speaking to STV, Murray added: “The board and chairman (Stewart Gilmour) are transparent in all things they do, it wasn’t a change that was forced upon me and no names were forced upon me to go and get.

“It was me that produced names to them and Alex was the one that we felt is exactly what we need at the moment.

“We just felt we needed that wee bit of experience from someone who knew Scottish football very well, knew the league very well and has certainly got experiences of what we’re dealing with at the moment.

“He’s here to first of all assist me and help me develop as a manager, but to also help the younger players as well.”

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