Murray: 'I can't stand drop pain again'

May 13 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN midfielder Hugh Murray has vowed to make sure he doesn’t experience the bitter taste of relegation for the second time in his career.

‘Shuggie’ is the only member of the Saints squad who lost their SPL status under Tom Hendrie’s management back in season 2000/01 to still be playing for the Paisley club.

And he is desperate to avoid a repeat of the pain he experienced as the Buddies slipped down to the First Division eight years ago.

Murray hopes to take a giant step towards SPL safety tonight by helping Saints defeat relegation rivals Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

But the 30-year-old midfielder has warned his team-mates that they dare not leave Ayrshire empty-handed if they want to remain in the top flight of Scottish football next season.

Murray said: “We need to start winning games if we want to stay in the Scottish Premier League. It’s as simple as that.

“The Kilmarnock game is massive for us. We need to ensure that every player gets their sleeves rolled up and fights for survival. It’s the only way to go about things if we want to stay in the league.

“We have got ourselves in this situation and it’s up to us to get the club out of it.”

Saints will find themselves rock bottom of the SPL tonight if they fail to beat Killie and bottom dogs Falkirk, who are just two points behind Gus MacPherson’s men, pick up an away win against Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park.

And Murray knows the Buddies will need to produce a vastly-improved performance from the ones they have managed in their last two SPL games if they are to earn all three points in Ayrshire.

He said: “We had chances to put daylight between ourselves and Falkirk with two home games against Inverness and Motherwell but we blew them.

“Those performances were nowhere near good enough and, if we put in similar performances in our remaining three games, I’ve no doubt we’ll be relegated.

“Now our game with Kilmarnock is a must-win match because we can’t afford to drop any more points.”

Buddies boss MacPherson will have to make at least one change to his squad for tonight’s match.

Right-back Jack Ross is definitely ruled out with a hamstring injury, with either Scott Cuthbert or David Barron likely to deputise in that role.

Striker Jim Hamilton is also out as his season is over as a result of a knee injury, while fellow hitman Craig Dargo has been sidelined with a torn thigh muscle.