Murray eyeing path to glory – just like his Hoops heroes

THERE are several Celtic stars who have made the journey from ball boy to the Champions League big time at Parkhead.

- By Michael Gannon

But few have had to take a winding path like Dane Murray.

The big centre-back is dreaming of joining Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and Anthony Ralston in the band of Bhoys who got to help out their heroes from the sidelines as kids to then become star turns on the pitch.

The opportunity would be all the sweeter for Murray after being forced to wait four years to kick on when getting a taste as a teenager.

The defender was launched into the Hoops side in former boss Ange Postecoglou’s early days in charge with high-pressure initiations in the Champions League qualifiers against Midtjylland in July 2021.

Then a couple of brutal cruciate injuries threatened his career.

But Murray has put the heartache behind him to force his way into boss Brendan Rodgers’ plans.