Ian Murray has revealed he was “stunned” to be sacked by Raith Rovers last month.

The Championship club announced the decision on Sunday 4 August in the wake of a 1-0 defeat away to Airdrie on the opening day of the season.

Rovers said Murray had been relieved of his duties due to “results and performances since the turn of the year having fallen short of expectations”.

The former Hibernian and Rangers player led the Kirkcaldy side to a second place finish in the Championship last season, before entering a play-off final against Ross County which saw Rovers miss out on a return to the top flight for the first time in 27 years.

Murray says he felt he could have taken the club a step further this term before his reign was abruptly halted after just over two years at the helm.

In a statement given to the PA news agency, the 43-year-old said: “From the moment I arrived at Stark’s Park in May 2022, I had a good feeling about the club. The staff and supporters welcomed me and made me feel at home.

“From consolidation in the Championship, a cup final and a Scottish Cup quarter-final against Rangers in my first season to beaten finalists in last season’s play-off final with 20 wins from 36 matches, I felt we were making good progress.

“The board were so impressed by the progression, and I was delighted to accept a three-year extension to my contract in December 2023.

“This season I was also pleased to secure the signing of some good players and had other signing targets that I had discussed internally, therefore I was quietly confident that we could go one better than last season’s achievement and secure promotion to the Premiership.

“I was stunned when I received a short telephone call from [chief executive] Andrew Barrowman on the Sunday morning after the Airdrie match telling me my contract was being terminated.

(Image: Paul Devlin - SNS Group)

“I told him I totally disagreed with this decision. But I’ve been in the game long enough to know that despite my record, nothing should surprise you in football.

“We all move on and I thank the staff and the team for their sterling efforts throughout the past two years. The players’ work ethic, honesty and willingness to adapt made my job rewarding.

“The unwavering support from my staff and their individual input helped me greatly and I cannot thank them enough.

“Finally, I would like to thank the supporters who got behind the team through thick and thin.

“They gave me so many memories that I will treasure forever culminating in the emotional standing ovation they gave us in Dingwall after the match.

“After the enforced break I’m ready to start again as I’m missing the day-to-day involvement in football. Thank you.”

Raith Rovers – who have lost two of their three matches since sacking Murray – are still searching for a new permanent manager, with a move to appoint former Northern Ireland international David Healy having fallen through.