Hibs and Dundee are reportedly keen on signing Simon Murray, but former player Lee Wilkie insists Ross County holds all the power regarding his future.
The 32-year-old striker, who previously played for both Hibs and Dundee, is said to desire a move back to the central belt for family reasons. Murray’s impressive performance last season, with 23 goals in 46 games for Ross County, has attracted significant interest.
During his previous stint at Hibs, Murray scored 14 goals and provided six assists in 28 games during the 2017-18 season. According to The Press and Journal, Ross County is finalizing a transfer for Cliftonville striker Ronan Hale, and no bids for Murray will be entertained until their new signing is secured.
Wilkie, who played for Dundee and earned 11 caps for Scotland, understands why both Hibs and Dundee are interested in Murray. Writing in the Courier, he noted: “Simon Murray is being linked with a move back to his home city of Dundee. This time, it’s the Dark Blues who, along with Hibs, want to land the 32-year-old striker. His form for Ross County last season is the reason; he was superb for the Staggies, notching 23 goals in 46 appearances, or the equivalent of a goal every other game. And he managed it while County spent the campaign battling against the drop.”
Wilkie emphasized that although Murray is in high demand, a move away from Dingwall is not certain. Ross County, led by young manager Don Cowie, has Murray under contract for another year. “There’s every chance Murray kicks off the Premiership campaign with Ross County and sees it through until next summer,” Wilkie said.
However, if Murray expresses a desire to leave and County believes they can replace him with the transfer fee, the situation could become interesting. Both Dundee and Hibs have had bids rejected, and Wilkie understands why. “They’ll want to create a bidding war if they can,” he noted.
Wilkie praised Murray’s consistent effort and commitment, which makes him an attractive target for both clubs. “But as it stands, County hold the cards, and we’ll have to wait and see how they play them,” Wilkie concluded.