Brendan Rodgers has hinted he will use Dane Murray more often from now until the end of the season…
The 21 year-old centre-back started his first game for Celtic on Saturday evening against Raith Rovers since July 2021 when the Hoops faced FC Midtjylland in the Champions League second qualifying round under Ange Postecoglou.
A composed figure
Dane Murray was a composed figure and seemed to breeze through Celtic’s 5-0 victory over Raith Rovers with relative comfort alongside stand-in vice-captain Liam Scales.
Despite the Celtic academy graduate earning his first minutes for his boyhood club versus Aston Villa in Europe’s elite club competition in three-and-a-half years, Rodgers had planned to initially start Murray in Celtic’s postponed clash against Dundee three weeks ago.
The Scottish Premiership encounter versus Tony Docherty’s side’s which Murray was to start in was rescheduled for a later date due to Storm Eowyn. However, the central defender eventually got his opportunity on Saturday night.
“Dane would have started our Dundee game”
Rodgers said as reported by Glasgow Times: “Dane would have started our Dundee game. The game that was cancelled, he was due to play in that game. He’s someone I’ve liked. He’s a young player who’s come through the system. A really talented young player, [he]had a challenging time with injury. He’s 6 foot 4, good pace, and can play.”
Murray endured horrendous injury issues
A regular for Scottish Championship heroes Queens Park during the first half of the season, Murray’s short-term loan spell at the Spiders was an invaluable experience considering the horrendous injuries he has endured in recent years.
Contracted at Celtic until 2026, Murray can establish himself as a long-term asset for the Scottish Champions if he continues to notch up minutes on a regular basis under Rodgers.
Conor Spence
