The Dens Park side were looking at taking the centre-back on loan to offer him first-team football after last season where he did not feature much at Parkhead.

However, he stayed put and after remaining patient in the early part of the season, has just started four games in a row.

Murray says his focus during the summer was always on Celtic amid speculation around him leaving.

He said: “A lot of speculation was around Dundee at the time, but for me it was ultimately just to keep my head down.

"I don't really listen to that stuff. I think I always want to play here, that's my main focus. My main objective is to play at Celtic and be here for as long as I can do.”

Another youngster, Colby Donovan, has been playing regularly at right-back and Murray has detied how much he is enjoying featuring alongside someone he regards as a close friend.

“We're right good pals, so it's good playing alongside him,” said the 23-year-old. “We do a lot off the pitch together.

"Everyone's really close in the group. We all get on really well, so it's good to have a team full of mates.”

He is also thriving on playing with more experienced players, such as the likes of Callum McGregor, Liam Scales and Kieran Tierney.

“It's massive,” says the academy graduate. “I think you see what they've done in their careers and what they still do. They're all international players.

"They've made plenty of appearances for this club, so if I can take a wee bit off them, I'll be doing alright.”