Dane Murray on how long-term injury nightmare ‘stunted’ his career
Dane Murray is currently enjoying something of a renaissance in his Celtic career after he made his sixth consecutive appearance in the 2-2 draw with Dundee United on Wednesday night at Celtic Park…
The 23 year old looks likely to make that seven in this afternoon’s clash at Falkirk, but he’s admitted that he is playing “catch up” after losing two years of his career to injury.
As he prepared to face the Bairns he was asked about his development saying at his pre-match media conference on Friday ahead of today’s Scottish Premiership match away to Falkirk: “It (injuries) stunted it a bit. I think I was 18 the first time And then came back, did my rehab, and then 19, done it again. So I missed two years.
“I think they’re probably really important, vital years for a footballer. Whether it’s playing here or you go out on your own and learn your trade, really and just play as many games as you can.
“So, from that perspective, it was like just trying to play catch-up, almost. I probably am two years behind. But I think I just try and really focus on where I am just now. And just try and play as many games as possible.
“You can’t really dwell on the past, you can get caught up in a lot of it. I think it’s really just trying to now just focus on the present.”
The 23 year old also believes that’s he picking up valuable lessons as he “learns on the job” during the longest run of starts in his professional career, and is grateful to the club for keeping faith in him.
Dane Murray explained: “Before, I hadn’t really played much. And if I was, it was a game here or a game there. But now, trying to string a number of appearances together. It’s just everything, just trying to learn as much as I can. Just learning on the job, really.
“There’s been a lot of faith put in me from the club. I’m really, really grateful in that perspective, for the club showing me faith.”
The towering Celtic defender admits the chance to go seven points clear of the Rangers on this afternoon is a huge incentive for the Hoops. He said: “Yeah, definitely. I think you always want to just keep winning, and then if you can gain an advantage over the rest of the league points-wise, it’s a good thing.
“There’s been tough moments in parts of games and everything else, but overall I think we’re doing well.”
With Cameron Carter-Vickers now fully fit, it’s going to be a real challenge for Dane Murray to keep Celtic’s ‘Big Strong Man’ out of the Celtic starting XI. Murray though is likely to get the nod from Martin O’Neill today as it is possibly in the manager’s thoughts not to risk the American on Falkirk’s artificial playing surface.
Dane Murray can only put in his a decent shift today and make it a tougher decision for the manager to make the change to restore CCV to the team.
