New Raith Rovers centre-back Keith Watson adds top-flight nous

Watson, 33, has worked with his new manager before, having served under Murray when the pair were together at St Mirren for the first half of the 2015-16 season.

Murray had been very keen to add centre-backs after the departures of Tom Lang and Ryan Nolan this summer, and he said: “We were looking for that bit of experience and I know Keith from his time playing at St Mirren with me.

“He's had a good career in the premiership with Dundee United, Hibs and Ross County. We identified Keith a number of months ago as a potential signing, and he’ll bring solid centre-half experience to Stark’s Park.”

Watson has extensive appearances in the premiership and Scottish Championship, having played for Dundee United, Hibernian, St Mirren, St Johnstone and Ross County since breaking through at Tannadice as a 17-year-old attacking full-back in January 2007.

The player lists Aidan Connolly, at Dundee United, and, in more recent years, Josh Mullin, at Ross County, where they won the championship and challenge cup, as former team-mates and he will now be reunited with both.

Watson, who played 28 times for County last season, made his debut in Tuesday night’s 3-1 friendly win at Montrose, telling Raith TV afterwards: “I’ve been around a while. I’m an experienced player who’s played at a good level. I was captain last season at Ross County as well, so I see myself as a bit of a leader on the pitch.

“I’m an out-and-out defender. I love defending, put my body on the line and I will do anything to try and help the team have a positive season.

“I used to be a flying right-back in my younger days. As I’ve got older, I’ve kind of stepped into centre-back. I’ve played there for a good number of years now and I’m really enjoying it.”

Watson isn’t known for goal-scoring – netting 24 times in 355 senior appearances in league and cup matches – but by a curious coincidence, he scored a double at Stark’s Park when playing for St Mirren in a 4-3 championship loss to Raith in March 2016.