Ian Murray addresses Hibs job links as Raith Rovers boss mentioned as early candidate

Ian Murray insists he is fully focused on Raith Rovers' promotion bid amid links to the Hibs job.

Murray is a Hibees hero after two spells having grown up a fan of the club and coming through the academy. That allied to the job he has done at Stark's Park - on the brink of promotion to the Premiership through the playoffs after giving Dundee United a scare in the title race - made it inevitable he would be mentioned for the Easter Road vacancy.

Hibs yesterday sacked Nick Montgomery after just eight months in the job after he followed up missing out on the top six with pitiful results against Ross County and Aberdeen after the split. They appointed Malky Mackay as sporting director and he will now lead on recruiting a new boss.

Whether or not Murray is in the mix is not on his mind just now as he tries to get Raith promoted. They currently lead Partick Thistle 2-1 with a home second leg to come and the winners will then take on the top flight's 11th side in the final.

The Rovers boss last night told BBC Scotland: "It's always unfortunate when someone loses their job. I know Nick, I played with him and roomed with him for Scotland Under-21s so my first thought is it's very unfortunate for him and his staff. On my side of it, I'm fully focused on trying to get Raith Rovers into the Premiership."

Addressing the two-legged tie, he added: "I think we’re in narrow command. But to come here and get our noses in front is fantastic. We’re delighted. I would have liked more, obviously, because I thought our first-half performance was deserved of being ahead, if not by a little bit more.

“But we knew Partick were going to come out and throw the kitchen sink at us, and they did. We both now know what we need to do. The first legs are always a bit strange because you just don’t know what’s going to happen – and it’s still alive, regardless of the scoreline.

“We know what it’s going to be like. We’re going to have a fantastic support inside our home stadium – and we need to go and finish this one off. They were really, really good goals and two fantastic finishes.”