Dundee striker Simon Murray has declared himself “in a good place” ahead of Sunday’s crucial city derby against Dundee United, following a dramatic return to form after a challenging spell. The 33-year-old forward has rediscovered his scoring touch with four goals in his past four appearances, bouncing back from a difficult start to the season that saw him net just once in the league until mid-February.
Murray’s resurgence comes at an ideal time for Dundee, who can leapfrog their rivals into seventh place in the Scottish Premiership with a victory at Dens Park. The striker, who scored 22 goals for the club last term, had struggled with injuries and fitness issues for much of the current campaign before losing his starting position.
Simon Murray’s Response to Being Dropped
According to Murray, the turning point came after he was left out of the team for six or seven matches. Rather than letting the setback affect his confidence, the experienced striker focused on training and preparation. “The manager said I’d been in these positions before and that I just need to go away, take some time,” Murray explained.
The forward credited hard work and a change in mentality for his improved performances. He noted that a deflected goal against Hibernian helped restore his confidence, admitting he might have passed up similar opportunities when feeling less assured. “I got my head down and worked hard. And then with that, you get maybe a bit of luck at times and the balls start falling to where you are,” he said.
Fitness and Form Improve for Dundee Forward
Murray emphasized that his physical condition has significantly improved since the start of January. The striker reported feeling no niggles and described his fitness as being in a good place, which has translated into better performances on the pitch. His recent scoring run has coincided with Dundee’s strong form under manager Steven Pressley.
The team enters the Dundee derby unbeaten in four matches, including an impressive 2-1 victory over high-flying Motherwell last weekend. Murray acknowledged the squad’s transformation since mid-December, when results and performances began to improve consistently.
Derby Stakes High as Dundee Target City Rivals
The upcoming Dundee derby carries added significance beyond local bragging rights. A victory would see Pressley’s side overtake Dundee United in the league standings, adding extra motivation to an already intense rivalry. Murray recognized the importance of seizing this opportunity against their city neighbors.
“The derby brings its own incentive, as big as the rivalry is and how big the match is, but going into it knowing that we can jump above them with a win is something we need to look at and really take that opportunity,” the striker stated. However, he also cautioned that despite the positive recent run, there remains significant work to be done as the season progresses.
The match at Dens Park on Sunday will test whether Simon Murray can maintain his scoring form in one of Scottish football’s most passionate local derbies. Both teams will be eager to claim the three points and establish superiority in the battle for mid-table positioning as the campaign enters its crucial final stages.
