Ian Murray – 10 big moments

SEVEN hundred and twenty nine days later, Ian Murray could be 24 hours away from another fairytale chapter.

Sometimes it is funny how the football fixture calendar works itself. Things like a manager’s two-year anniversary at a club being marked by a match against the side he played for with such distinction. That’s what’s happening at the Rock tomorrow as Murray, who enjoys legendary status as a player at Hibernian, manages Dumbarton against the Easter Road side, two years to the day he was unveiled as boss.

As with all managerial tenures, those two years have seen players, matches and experiences which live long in the memory. Some of them are turning points when things are going wrong, others are just…well…special. Here’s a dossier of 10 points which have shaped his first two years with Sons.

1. Falkirk 3 Dumbarton 4 – Saturday, December 29 2012

Murray must have spent his first 180 match minutes as Dumbarton manager wondering what he’d let himself in for. The opening 90 were observed from the stand at East End Park as his new team were beaten 4-0 by Dunfermline Athletic. In some respects it was a harsh experience for Sons, but in reality the scoreline, in the days before the Pars were hit by financial troubles, was a realistic reflection of the game. Then, following three postponements, his first fixture in the dugout was a chastening one at home to Hamilton Accies in the Scottish Cup fourth round. On a freezing Monday night, Sons were well beaten 3-1, by a side they had already led by the same scoreline in September before frittering away their two-goal advantage in the dying stages to draw 3-3.

It was that experience, and other unfortunate ones under the previous regime at the start of this season, that led to nerves being very suitably frayed towards the end of Murray’s third game in charge, at Falkirk. Having lost to the Bairns once already – 2-0 in the game that sealed Alan Adamson’s fate and ensured Murray had a job to apply for – Sons were holding them 1-1 at half time, Jim Lister having levelled. Then a glorious 12-minute spell was the first evidence of a new manager bounce at the club. A Scott Agnew double (one a penalty) and Lister’s second had them coasting. Going into injury time it was still 4-1, and then Lyle Taylor, who had scored the Bairns’ goal, added two more for his hat-trick.

But where Hamilton Accies succeeded on league business back in September, Falkirk failed. Despite a close call to make it 4-4, which really would have been a sobering one to take, Dumbarton held on for only their second victory of the season.

2. Craig Gordon comes to the club – Saturday, February 9 2013

Sons have found many ways of making coaching/managerial appointments. Indeed, Murray’s arrival came about as one of them, with him having been based in America prior to being appointed. But it’s hard to imagine anyone joining the club as a result of a chance encounter in a TV studio.

That was the scenario which led to the events building up to a second consecutive meeting with Livingston. Travelling to Almondvale, the talk among fans on social media was that Craig Gordon – THE Craig Gordon – had been spotted as part of Dumbarton’s coaching staff. Only a few years after he kept goal for Scotland and Sunderland, and still reasonably young, here he was putting Stephen Grindlay, Jamie Ewings and Josh Lumsden through their paces. It turned out that Murray’s appointment came about after the two were guests on BBC Scotland’s televised football coverage. There was even talk that Gordon, battling back after years of persistent injuries, could play for Sons, but that never came to pass. Now, when you realise that Gordon is Celtic’s first choice keeper, in truth he was never likely to don the number one jersey.

Sons were on a winning run, and off the bottom of the First Division having beaten both of the title-chasing duo of Morton and Partick Thistle. However, this was an appointment that gave the club, and particularly its goalkeepers, time in the spotlight. It turned out not to be the only blue-chip moment of the day, with Bryan Prunty’s overhead kick opening the scoring in a 3-2 victory. But with Gordon now on board until the end of the season, Sons could justifiably feel they deserved their place in Scotland’s second tier.

3. Comebacks at Dunfermline and Raith – late March 2013

Murray was in the middle of his first tough run as Sons manager. Winless in five games, his team knew they had to end the run at Dunfermline on Saturday, March 23. By this point the Pars were engulfed in their financial turmoil and, although no points deduction had yet kicked in, their title challenge was fading through defeat after defeat.

But with less than an hour played at East End Park, where Murray’s tenure technically began, the ball looked burst. A late first half Ryan Wallace goal was followed up for Dunfermline soon after the restart by Andy Barrowman. Despite Steven McDougall pulling one back for Sons, Barrowman’s second meant a 3-1 deficit and the points looked to be gone. After all, November 1997 had been the last time Dumbarton had won from two goals down – at Queen’s Park. Then there was another dimension to them. Chris Turner pulled one back and, with a quarter of the game still to play, Scott Agnew made it 3-3. Playing against a team whose season was in freefall, Sons knew what a chance they had to end the wait of more than 15 years. And with six minutes left, McDougall posted his second to win it. Another positive aspect – namely bouncebackability – had been added by Murray.

Four nights later Dumbarton proved that comebacks from two goals down are like buses. Trailing 2-0 at home to Raith Rovers in a twice-postponed fixture, a Jim Lister goal at half time offered more than optimism following the events at Dunfermline. The faith was justified, as Lister got his second to equalise and after an Agnew penalty made it 3-2, the tall striker clinched his hat-trick. Earlier in the season one goal had been enough to kill Sons off most of the time. Now two-goal leads couldn’t do it.

4. Cowdenbeath 2 Dumbarton 3 – Saturday, April 27 2013

Even after the revival under Murray, the odds were that if Dumbarton survived, they would do so on the last day of the season. Quite possibly with the decisive goal going in during the final minutes, off a Partick Thistle player’s backside. Yet here they were, a week before the clash with the Jags to end the season, knowing that the mere avoidance of defeat at Cowdenbeath would clinch it with a game to spare. The Thistle game would be a glorified friendly.

Although Sons had won 1-0 at Central Park earlier in the season, two weeks before Murray’s appointment, Central Park had been an unforgiving venue for them in the past. That again looked likely when Cowden took an early lead through on-loan Motherwell striker Craig Moore. But just as at Falkirk, three piercing blows in a short spell did it for Sons. An astonishing 30-yard lob by Scott Agnew brought them level, and with Jim Lister putting them in front, the nine-minute turnaround was completed by Agnew’s penalty. A Kyle Miller goal for the hosts with two minutes to spare made the ending nervous, but was academic. Having started the season with two points from their opening 10 games, taking 40 out of the next 25 had guaranteed safety.

5. Paul McGinn signs permanently – Monday, June 3 2013

On loan for the second half of the 2012/13 season, Paul McGinn’s performances at right back made many people wonder what St Mirren didn’t see in him. Taken on by the Buddies after a successful time at Queen’s Park, the Clydebank youngster was sent out to gain first-team experience. What he did was put himself on a pedestal, endear himself to the Dumbarton fans, and leave them feeling that he was returning to Paisley a stick-on first-team player.

Then came the news that few thought possible – he was coming back, on a permanent basis. The decision wasn’t St Mirren’s, but McGinn’s, as he wanted to play first-team football and wasn’t guaranteed that at Greenhill Road. He asked to be released from his contract and in no time, Murray was on the phone, eager to have him back at the club, even if just for one season while he looked to prove the Saints wrong not to give him a game.

And he did. Like any manager, Murray’s signings for Dumbarton can be divided into hits and misses. Some work out, some don’t – that’s football. Recruiting McGinn was one of the best things he’s done as the right back, fans’ player of the year last season, made a mockery of any doubts over his ability to play regular first-team football at the highest level. Something which he is doing at Dundee, this time in the top flight, an arena it was thought he couldn’t thrive in right now. The Dens Park club’s 1-0 win in Paisley, in August, must have gone down particularly well with one member of their back four.

6. The start to 2014

The first half of the 2013/14 season was steady enough for Dumbarton. They were winning games fairly regularly, scoring goals at a decent rate, and very rarely looked like potential relegation material. But if there was one flaw, it was one which haunted them during the ‘worst team in Scotland’ season of 1997/98. During that campaign they failed to win back-to-back games at any stage. At the turn of the New Year, they had still to do that this time.

The first three fixtures of 2014 were a chance to end any doubt over their ability to stay up. Morton were drastically labouring at the bottom, while fellow part-timers Cowdenbeath and Alloa were in opposition, both away from home, immediately afterwards. Six or seven points wouldn’t have been bad. Nine would have been utopia. The run got off to a decent start as, despite a display which was far from the most convincing of the season, Morton were seen off with goals by Bryan Prunty (penalty) and the debuting Chris Kane. Despite their dire position, Morton had beaten Sons 2-0 at Cappielow when the sides last met, so it was not a day to take anything for granted.

At Cowden, a venue where they also lost the previous time, Sons were behind early on to a Kyle Miller goal, only for Colin Nish to almost immediately level. Despite a Mitch Megginson goal being equalised by Jamie Stevenson for the hosts, the second half saw Dumbarton turn it on. Kane’s second in as many games, followed by Megginson’s second, made it six from six. It was on to Alloa, a venue where Sons had never lost on the plastic pitch. That record was clearly continuing by half time, with Mark McLaughlin, Chris Turner and then Kane again establishing a 3-0 lead. Kevin Cawley’s goal for the Wasps might have triggered a comeback in the early 2012/13 season, but it was never in prospect this time. Kane’s second, and then a stunning volley by Jordan Kirkpatrick, registered a 5-1 victory and the nine ‘utopia’ points. Missions are never accomplished in January but Sons could hardly have been better on course.

7. Alloa Athletic 0 Dumbarton 1 – Saturday, February 8 2014

Just three weeks after the 5-1 league win at Recreation Park (now the Indodrill Stadium), Dumbarton were back there with a different objective. Up for grabs was the club’s first place in the Scottish Cup quarter finals since most of the squad, even Murray himself, were born. Thirty-five years since reaching the 1978/79 last eight, all they had to do to end that wait was beat a team they’d hung out to dry only 21 days earlier.

This, though, was a much closer affair, score-wise at least. A Colin Nish goal just after the half hour mark could have started another goal-fest, but just before half time came the perfect evidence that wouldn’t be the case. Kane, just as he did at Alloa in the 5-1 game, had the chance to score from the penalty spot, but saw his effort saved. Despite having only a one-goal advantage, Sons were on top of the second half and Scott Linton was unlucky not to extend the lead with a shot which hit the crossbar. In the end, Nish’s goal was enough.

Unfortunately, the wait for a first semi-final since 1976 was extended, and will be for a further year following this season’s exit. Away at Aberdeen, Sons were valiant, but went down to the same 1-0 scoreline by which they beat Alloa. Having started in November in a rain-soaked 2-1 win over Cowdenbeath, the road to Parkhead, as it was last season, was over.

8. Dumbarton 4 Hamilton Accies 1 – Saturday, April 26 2014

The trapdoor had long been beaten, with a 3-1 win at Raith Rovers two weeks before this game ensuring that the Championship was as low a division as Dumbarton could play in during the 2014/15 season. Unfortunately, the following week’s 3-0 reverse at home to Queen of the South made a top four place, a real possibility for much of the campaign, look very distant.

They were three points behind the Dumfries club with two games to play. Both of those were against teams who could celebrate winning the title at the end of the day. Hamilton Accies turned up at the Rock knowing that a win, and the right combination of results elsewhere, would give them the Championship trophy. With part-time opposition standing in their way, they were strong favourites in many neutral observers’ eyes. But Dumbarton knew differently. In recent home games, Cowdenbeath (5-1) and Alloa (4-1) had suffered the full force of Sons’ forward line. Now it was time to show it could be done against higher-ranked opposition.

Nothing was to be chosen between the sides at half time. Scott Agnew’s free kick from wide on the right crept in at the far post only for Jason Scotland to equalise for Accies. By the 75th minute Dundee were clear at Alloa and it was obvious that Hamilton, whatever they did at the Rock, wouldn’t win the title on the day. And then a very large button marked ‘self destruct’ was pressed by the New Douglas Park club, particularly manager Alex Neil, who was sent off for headbutting Mark Gilhaney. By this point Colin Nish had given Sons the lead, and within a minute of Neil’s departure, Mitch Megginson made it 3-1. The final effort was added by Jordan Kirkpatrick as Sons humbled a side who, until the start of November, were leaders of the Premiership this season.

9. New deal – Tuesday, May 13 2014

Danny Lennon wasn’t kept on at St Mirren. Terry Butcher was hanging by a thread at Hibernian, who were facing a relegation play-off. Both of those meant that Murray, whose deal at Dumbarton was heading for its expiry, was thought to be a wanted man. Who could blame any club for taking him on, after what he’d achieved with a Sons side who were flatlining when he arrived? Who could blame him for wanting to try himself at a higher level, especially, potentially, with the Edinburgh club he supported as a boy and played for over such a long time?

But 10 days after the end of the season, the doubt was ended. With St Mirren hunting a new manager and, according to some sources, having made an approach, Murray’s signature was on a new two-year contract at Dumbarton. The boost to everyone at the club was immediate. Players re-signed, season tickets were renewed and a campaign already known to feature Rangers and Hearts next season was anticipated with relish.

As it turned out, Butcher’s tenure at Hibs was ended after they lost to Hamilton in the play-off and they too came down to face Sons. But the strength of the league this season was of little concern to Dumbarton fans as it kicked off. After the display at Aberdeen, and against other sides who were now in the top flight, there was no-one who could have been viewed as a better man to lead them into a campaign like no other.

10. Livingston 1 Dumbarton 2 – Saturday, November 15 2014

Yep, the most recent one. Some victories have been vital for Dumbarton with a view to challenging at the right end of the table. But sometimes they’re more crucial after the going gets tough. This was one such occasion.

Sons headed to Almondvale having scored one goal in six games. The strength of opposition WAS tough – Hibs, Hearts and Rangers twice all came within that spell. However, with the displays Sons showed last season, it was hoped that they would come out of that run with more than just Garry Fleming’s consolation goal at Tynecastle, and a battling point for a goalless draw at Easter Road. Having already beaten Livingston at home this season, there was no getting away from the fact that this was a game they COULD win. They SHOULD win. They HAD TO win.

At half time it was looking grim. Forty-five of the worst minutes of the season so far had been punished only by Daniel Mullen’s goal for Livi. The second half, shooting towards the Sons support, saw the transformation into the Dumbarton side everyone recognises under Murray’s management. Fleming equalised, Mitch Megginson’s first league goal of the season put them in front. Chances were limited – but it was comfortable enough, and Sons, who were bottom of the table at half time, instead mark Murray’s two-year anniversary in seventh place.