Ruby Born To Be A Winger

WHAT Stevie Murray lacks in height, he more than makes up for in talent. "Ruby" (as he is affectionately known as by the Killie Faithful) is something of a  tanner ba' player who reminded us of a time when Scottish football was full of gallus wee wingers Full of all the things a supporter loves to see. Murray is back in the Killie side and looking as good as he did two years ago, when he first broke though, and was even named SPL Young Player of the Month in Dec 2001. ...

''It would be wrong to say I didn't enjoy all the attention when I first got into the team because I did. It's nice to read and hear people say good things about you. That's natural.

''I got a lot of praise when Bobby Williamson gave me my chance two years ago with all sorts of things being said about me which I couldn't control.

''But I never let myself get carried away. I always had my feet on the ground and never allowed any of the compliments to get to me.

''It was nice but I'm not the sort of guy who starts to think that I'm abetter player than I am just because I get a few plaudits.

''I knew then that the first thing I needed to do was stay in the team and it was the one thing which didn't really happen.

''I was in and out. There was never really a time when I got a prolonged run. I would be playing for a few games then sitting in the stands for a while. It did get frustrating.

''But it also gave me a good lesson that football can be like that. You have got to take a few kicks. It isn't all getting pats on the back.

''Last season we played a 3-5-2 formation and I had to do a lot more defending. I got back but it wasn't my game. What's the point in me crunching into tackles because I would just bounce off people.

''Now we are back to four in midfield and that gives me a chance to do some damage at the other end of the field. 'I've been tried in all sorts of positions but I think I was born to be a winger. Even when I was a kid my game was all about taking players on and beating them."

''And the manager has said me he wants me to take on my man and not worry too much if he takes the ball from me as long as I get the ball back and keep on going.  It's nice that he doesn't put too much pressure on me and says to just to go and play my natural game.''

 ''I heard that Gerry Collins had a go at his players for not getting tight on me at Firhill but the guy marking me put me on the track within a minute.

''But I don't mind that. It just means I'm doing my job properly.''

Murray was accurately described in the Partick match programme on Sat as an "exciting and talented ball-playing winger "