Although Simon Murray acknowledges that wearing a Scotland jersey would be “unbelievable,” he maintains that his primary goal at the moment is to support Dundee in their battle to stay in the Scottish Premiership.
This season, the 33-year-old has been in incredible form, scoring 21 goals and dishing out three assists.
Tony Docherty’s team, who are now in the relegation playoff spot, would most likely be doomed without Murray’s contribution.
The striker’s manager has publicly supported him to push his way into the Scotland lineup because of how much of an impact he has had at Dens Park. Docherty has called on Steve Clarke to give the Premiership’s top-scoring Scot his long-overdue opportunity.
“Simon is a pivotal player in the team,” Docherty said following Dundee’s 2-0 victory over St Mirren on April 5.
“I said before about possible international recognition, and why not? He’s the highest-scoring Scottish player in the league right now. Every opportunity he gets, he scores.”
Now Murray himself has addressed the growing calls for his inclusion, speaking to the BBC about what a maiden call-up would mean.
“It’s definitely an ambition,” Murray said. “From a young age, any player that wants to play football wants to represent their country, and it’s obviously something that would be unbelievable.
“But it’s not my full focus at the moment. I’m fully focused on helping Dundee stay in the Premiership. If I do that and I do my job, then whatever happens, happens.
“I’d never thought about it much, but obviously I’ve got some sort of recognition in the last couple of months. I just need to take care of my own performances and if recognition comes, that would be something great to look back on in the future.”
Murray, who began his senior career in the lower leagues with Montrose and Arbroath before earning moves to Dundee United and Hibernian by the summer of 2017, was full of praise for Scotland’s current crop of forwards — but believes he could offer something different.
“Scotland have been doing so well,” he acknowledged. ” They got to the Euros, they’ve got top players in the English Premier League, and guys like Kevin Nisbet and Lawrence Shankland have done really well for season after season.
“It’s a tough squad to get into, but at the same time, I know I could probably add something to that. I just need to keep doing what I’m doing and whatever takes place, takes place.”
For now though, with Dundee locked in a relegation scrap, Murray insists he’s keeping his focus on the task at hand.
“As I say, it’s a great honour for any player, but I’m not really focused on it. You can only focus on your own job and your daily football with your club.” I’m only concerned with the present,” he said.
