IAN MURRAY admits he was not surprised to see Championship compatriot Paul Hartley linked with a move to Premiership side Inverness Caley Thistle.

The Wasps boss had been in the running to replace Terry Butcher in the Highlands, but has lost out to John Hughes.

Now Hartley will take his side to the Bet Butler Stadium this evening aiming to move into the second-tier play-off places.

Victory for the Sons, however, would take them level on points with Hartley's side in the standings, but boss Murray will again be without forward Scott Agnew for the Championship clash.

The Rock gaffer said: "If you do well, you get linked with other jobs, that is the way it is.

"Paul has brought Alloa up from the Third Division into the Championship and done well again.

"He has had to adapt in every season so far and he has obviously recruited the right players at the right times and got them playing in a way that is successful.

"Alloa will be desperate to hold on to him. I'm sure he will want to further his career and move to a full-time team and time will tell if he decides to move on.

"We are in good form. We have only lost one of our last six games so we are confident going into the Alloa game.

"Both teams won their last league game and then won in the Scottish Cup at the weekend so we will both be looking forward to it."