EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS

City swap means star gets home advantage
BILL LOTHIAN
([email protected])
HERIOT'S have swooped to land a leading light of Scottish domestic rugby in club international stand off Murray Strang.

At the age of 25, Strang has already won the Premiership title three times with Glasgow Hawks as well as being a key figure in the team that captured the Scottish Cup by beating Edinburgh Accies last season.

But it is his association with the Scotland clubs side for the past two seasons that cemented a switch to Goldenacre when the demands of travelling between Hawks' Anniesland base and his job in Edinburgh became too much.

Strang, a chartered surveyor with Cushman and Wakefield, said: "I got to know Heriot's coach Bob McKillop [pictured below] in my first season with Scotland clubs and, when he moved on, George Breckenridge, an ex-Hawks player now assisting with the backs at Goldenacre, took over.

"So, Heriot's were an obvious match for me, quite apart from staying within walking distance of the ground.

"I've also met up with players Roddy Deans, Tam McVie and Marc Teague who have filled me with enthusiasm for the season coming up.

"Hopefully I might maintain a connection with the Scotland clubs side because both matches have proved to be highlights. Firstly there was the adventure attached to going over to Ireland as part of the first-ever Scottish side to be chosen at that level.

"However, nothing beat being part of a winning Scotland team in this year's fixture at Meggetland."

Another feature of the Capital scene eagerly awaited is regular derbies.

"I'm well aware of there being five Edinburgh clubs in a 12-team premiership next season and that will add a lot of spice to competition," says Strang, who stands 6ft 3in and weighs 14st 10lbs.

"I got a taste of rugby life in Edinburgh while attending the recent IRB Emirates Sevens at Murrayfield and look forward to being part of that scene, although there appear to be great similarities in the style of rugby both Hawks and Heriot's play."

For Heriot's coach McKillop the arrival of a player who turned out for Caledonia development teams while at Aberdeen University adds a vital ingredient to the Heriot's mix.

"One of the things we lacked last season was consistency and part of that was due to not having a settled stand off.

"I'm over the moon that Murray comes with an ability to manage a game and ensure his team always plays in the right area of the pitch.

"What's more he sets high standards all the time.

"In addition he has a good break which ensures defences can't relax while his hands are quick enough to allow him to offload quality passes out of contact."

In fact, Heriot's used five stand offs last season and eventually finished fourth in the table, just ahead of Hawks.

McKillop is well aware that they have to hit the ground running this time after being handed a potentially awkward opener in the Scottish Hydro Electric-sponsored Premiership away to newly promoted Edinburgh Accies.

Adds McKillop: "I watched Accies beat Boroughmuir in the Cup semi-final at Raeburn Place and they did so in a style which made a nonsense of the hype suggesting they are purely forward orientated."

Strang heads East with the good wishes of his previous club.

Hawks secretary Hugh Barrow said: "Murray has given us tremendous service over four seasons and we fully understand why travelling along the M8 for training and matches has become a problem.

"Heriot's are getting a quality player and we look forward to renewing rivalry with Murray in their ranks."

This article: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=938142007

This article was posted on 15-Jun-2007, 11:38 by Hugh Barrow.