Mention to Simon Murray that Dundee United can move level on points with Championship leaders Hibs tonight and he quickly moves the conversation to the next topic.
A third success of the campaign against Dunfermline when they come to Tannadice for part one of a double header that sees the teams meet again in the Irn Bru Cup on Saturday, would take the Tangerines alongside the early-season pacesetters.
Murray admits that would be nice but the striker not only insists it remains way too early to be studying league tables, right now he believes the biggest competition facing any United player is the battle to get into Ray McKinnon’s starting line-up.
The 24-year-old’s return for the comprehensive victory at Queen of the South on Saturday was his first start in the league since the draw at the Hibees early last month.
He marked it with a solid performance and an excellent finish for the fourth goal on a fine afternoon for the Tangerines.
It brought his tally for the campaign so far to a respectable seven goals but he realises that’s the kind of display that’s required to have a chance of keeping his place.
“It would be nice to move up beside Hibs but it’s only November so we’re not interested in looking at the table just now,” he said.
“We’re just concentrating on keeping our winning run going and looking at it week to week.
“It’s that old cliché about taking it a game at a time but it’s working because we’re winning.
“And I’m just working hard in training every day to try to make sure I’m in the team.
“That’s enough to be thinking about and it’s not easy because you look at our squad and there are a lot of good players.
“If you drop out for any reason it can be really hard to get back in — I know that. Before Queen of the South I was on the bench for a few weeks.
“I was always confident when I got back in I could score because in training I’ve been going well and I’ve scored a few goals.
“But when you’re out you just have to wait to get back because the boys have been playing well.”
Murray’s display and weekend goal could help him keep his place against the Pars tonight. And the fact his last goal before his Palmerston effort was in the league victory at East End Park and he got on the scoresheet when Alan Johnson’s team visited Tannadice on Betfred Cup duty at the end of July, could help.
“I’ve done well against them already this season so, hopefully, the gaffer remembers that and gives me another run.”
That looks likely but, whether or not he starts, Murray is hoping for a somewhat more mundane three points than the ones earned last time the teams met.
That last clash was marked by goalie Cammy Bell’s historic three first-half penalty saves and the goalie’s heroics saw Murray’s opening goal almost forgotten.
“It’s not often you score a goal and no one is talking about it but because of Cammy’s saves that’s what happened.
“I didn’t mind because he did brilliant that day and I was just happy to chip in.
“It was a crazy game and I don’t think we are going to see anything like that this time.
“I won’t mind so long as we take the three points. We’ve been picking up a few wins recently and I thought we played well on Saturday.”
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