Sir Andy Murray is his Hibs starlet namesake’s knight in shining armour

Fraser Murray feared he was facing a match point against an injury that would not quit.

But, thanks to a fightback, inspired by his Wimbledon-winning mentor, it’s advantage Murray once again.

The teenage Hibs star has spent months toiling with a groin problem that resisted every form of treatment.

At one stage, he worried he might have to play through the pain barrier for years.

But after tennis star Sir Andy Murray – who mentors his young namesake, along with defender Ryan Porteous – got in touch, the young Hibee started to see light at the end of the tunnel.

“Andy has been great and he always looks to see how we are doing,” said the Easter Road youngster.

“He is going through an injury as well and he has given me advice on how to deal with it from his point of view.

“He has helped me through it and given me pointers on the mental side of it.

“Whenever I was struggling mentally, or I was a bit down because I was stuck in the gym and everyone else was out training or playing, he would give me a few tips about how to keep going and stay focused.

“He reminded me that there was light at the end of the tunnel.

“There were a few texts and WhatsApp messages, and a few words here and there.

“I went down to Wimbledon last year and met him. I was injured then and he was good, talking to me about staying focused and not to get too down.

“I can always chat with him and sometimes he will send me a message asking how I’m doing and vice versa.”

As co-founder of 77 Sports Management, the agency that represents Fraser Murray and Ryan Porteous, Sir Andy is hands-on with clients in areas he feels he can help.

His own battle with a serious hip problem makes him a fount of knowledge on how to deal with the mental side of injury rehabilitation.

But his young Hibs mentee says the tennis great isn’t shy about offering football advice too.

“It’s a bit of both to be honest,” said the 19-year-old.

“Football and tennis are different sports, but in some ways they are similar.

“They are both high-level sports and, mentally, we have both been through injuries  whereby we had to spend some time out.

“So it is that kind of stuff he has spoken to me about and he has helped me through.

“It helps to know that he has been one of the best tennis players in the world. It’s good to know that he can overcome injuries and be one of the best, then it helps me

“If he can do it then hopefully I can do it. He gives me that confidence.”

New Hibs gaffer Paul Heckingbottom has used Murray off the bench in recent weeks.

The youngster is highly rated by his manager, and could become an integral part of the Hibees’ first-team squad next season.

But if he is given the nod today against Rangers, the teenager believes he is ready to mix it with seasoned Gers midfielders like Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield.

“I have got on in quite a few games and the Livingston game was good and I enjoyed that,” said Murray.

“I have come on a few other times and it is good to know that the manager is trusting me to go on the park and giving me some minutes.

“It gives me a lot of confidence, knowing the manager trusts me. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t put me on.

“It would be brilliant to play in front of a huge crowd. I have played in front of big crowds at Easter Road but to play at Ibrox would be massive.

“They are a good team and that would hopefully bring the best out of me.”