TIME flies when you are having fun.

Ian Murray has had plenty of reasons to celebrate in the last two years and he will look to toast another milestone when Dumbarton face Hibernian this afternoon.

Since first stepping into the dugout at the Bet Butler Stadium, Murray has emerged as one of the Scottish game's brightest young managers and enjoyed a remarkable rise.

In his first few months in the post he completed mission impossible by rescuing a team seemingly doomed to relegation.

Last season was equally as impressive as he took his part-time players to fifth in the Championship.

With Hibs, Hearts and Rangers for company this time out, Murray's task is significantly more difficult but he is adamant that the odds can be defied and more memorable moments can be savoured at the Rock.

"The two years have gone in really quickly but there has been progress from where we started to where we are now," Murray said.

"We are still in this division, which was our aim. Now we have a chance to maintain our status and make inroads into perhaps going full-time.

"Since I came in we've had a lot of good results. There have been one or two disappointments but not enough to take the shine off the good times.

"Finishing fifth last season was a great achievement but I don't think our cup results have been as big an achievement.

"Any team can go on a cup run with the right draw and a bit of luck along the way so I wouldn't rank that alongside staying up or finishing fifth.

"If we can finish in fifth or sixth place this year it would be great for us, especially when you consider the calibre of the teams in the league.

"Looking back, staying up in the first season just about shades getting fifth last season in terms of an achievement."

After a playing career that saw him make captain Hibernian, win silverware at Rangers and collect six caps for Scotland, Murray cut short a stint in America to replace Alan Adamson as Sons boss.

At 33, he is still young enough to be pulling on his boots every Saturday but his rush on matchday now comes from the sidelines.

He said: "I've not missed playing at all to be honest. I loved playing and I think I would have missed it if I hadn't still been involved in football.

"I'm still working towards a Saturday every week and that is still my main football day. When I go home after a game, it feels like I've been playing because of the adrenaline and everything you put into it.

"This job is full-time in terms of the mental side of it. You are always thinking about the team you are going to pick and also about the opposition and so on.

"This year, with games being played on Mondays, Fridays and midweek, there are matches to go to all the time. It is pretty full-on in terms of commitment."

VICTORY this afternoon over his old team on his second anniversary as Dumbarton manager would again enhance Murray's burgeoning reputation in the dugout.

He has already been touted for a number of positions but is in no rush to leave the club that gave him his break and where he continues to catch the eye.

He said: "You are going to get linked with jobs but you can't take your eye off the ball for one minute and take what you have for granted.

"There are so many guys out of work just now, so any job that comes up attracts so many applicants. To have a job is great.

"If I left Dumbarton - either through the club's decision or my decision - I think the job here would appeal to people it might not have done a few years ago because of what we have done and where we have managed to get them."