Sought-after Simon Murray’s future will not be decided until July at the very earliest.
And while the striker, who’s just finished a loan spell at Dundee, is extremely flattered by interest from the other side of Tannadice Street, his first choice is to remain at parent club Hibs.
Murray is currently enjoying his summer break but is well aware of speculation linking him with a return to first full-time employers Dundee United.
Beaten Scottish Cup finalists Motherwell are also known to be considering a summer move for him and, dating back to his time at United, several clubs in Europe have monitored his progress.
As recently as Dundee’s victory over St Johnstone last month, one sent their chief scout to update their file on him.
For the 26-year-old, however, the next piece of business he aims to be involved in is a battle to re-establish himself at Easter Road.
“I am contracted to Hibs for another year and, although I spent the second half of the season on loan at Dundee, my aim has always been to go back there.
“I still finished the season top scorer for them and, even when I went to Dundee in January, the plan was always to go back.
“At the time I spoke to Neil Lennon and he stressed whether or not I went was entirely down to me.
“I could have stayed and he would have considered me for selection but really the move came up because Anthony Stokes had left and they needed a No 10.
“They wanted Scott Allan and the only way the deal was going to be done was if I went to Dundee, so the gaffer did say to me I would be back in the summer.
“He’s told me I can stake a claim for a place in the team next season and I know, if he says that, he means it, because he’s very honest with me.”
Should things not work out in his second season at Hibs, Murray will look at his situation.
“Obviously, if they sign another striker or decide to go another way I’ll have to think about what happens next, so it is good to know other clubs are interested. If it doesn’t work out, the only person I will blame is myself but I feel the move to Dundee has been good for me because it’s got me a lot more Premiership experience.”
He admits had the loan interest at the turn of the year been from someone other than Dundee, there’s a fair chance he would have opted to stay put.
“A lot’s been said about me being a Dundee fan and that was a factor.
“More important was it was a move that wasn’t going to involve me having to get used to a new city or league.
“I stayed at my mum’s when I was back up and I already knew some of the boys, so it was easy to settle in. I’m not saying I wouldn’t have gone somewhere else but all that made it an easier choice to come.”
And, as a proud Dundonian, Murray admits the fact he’s joined a select band of players to have worn dark blue and tangerine is pleasing.
“I will look back at the end of my career and be proud I played for Dundee and United. While I’m a Dundee fan, even before I was at United I was never one who didn’t want them to do well.
“I always went to see both teams and I still do. I’m a football fan and I want to see both sides from my city doing well.
“Now I’ve got a United connection, they are a club I will always have a lot of time for.
“They were the team that gave me my chance in the game full-time and I’m grateful for that.
“I still know a lot of people there and they are very good people who I respect a lot.”
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