Simon Murray proved he was a chip off the old block as the Arbroath striker’s clinical hat-trick inspired a handsome 5-0 Scottish Cup win against Bo’ness.
Murray’s father Gary remains a legend at Montrose after scoring close to 100 goals over two spells and earning the club a record £60,000 transfer fee in 1980.
He spent four years with Hibs, rubbing shoulders with luminaries such as Joe Harper. And he was in attendance to watch young Simon complete a fine treble at Newtown Park.
Murray opened the scoring with a sharp low finish from six yards on the half-hour mark, before adding a further two goals after the break to ensure he went home with the match ball and the bragging rights.
“This is my first experience of a Scottish Cup campaign and my dad told me that he never managed a hat-trick in the cup, so I’ve finally got one up on him,” the 22-year-old said.
“Dad was at Hibs, Forfar and Montrose and scored plenty of goals, so it’s always good to get some bragging rights.
“He comes along to the games and is always there to support me.
“It’s great to be able to look back at what he’s done and that gives me the drive to try and get to that level.”
Murray’s strike partner, Paul McManus, also enjoyed a profitable afternoon, converting a fine low cross from close range after 68 minutes.
And he doubled his money by breaking through a ragged Bo’ness offside trap and rounding Mark Peat before rolling the ball into the net.
Bo’ness manager Allan McGonigal said: “I thought we were the better team for 65 minutes but once they got the second goal our heads went down a wee bit.”