Murray had to wait until he was 30 to make his debut in England’s top division, but after Aaron Connolly achieved the same feat some 11 years younger, Albion’s talisman is excited to see the next generation come through.
He said, “I sometimes sit back and look at the Premier League and opportunities that players like Mason Mount and [Tammy] Abraham at Chelsea are getting.
“I wonder if it’s just because I’m getting older and they seem younger, or if it was always that way.
“That all stems from Gareth Southgate, he’s really given youth a chance at international level and I think Premier League teams have followed suit.
“We’re starting to see a new era of Premier League football players.”
Connolly now finds himself as one of three strikers in Albion’s first-team squad, following the loan departures of Florin Andone and Jurgen Locadia, and Murray spoke about setting the right example for the Irishman to follow.
“You’ve got to handle yourself in a certain way. If I’m left out and the younger lads see the way I react to it, maybe when they’re left out, they’ll react in the same manner.
“We’ve got young Aaron Connolly stepping into the first team at 19 and what an opportunity he’s got.
“I just try to help him along and advise him where I feel necessary. It’s then up to Aaron if he wants to take that — he may agree, but if not then he’ll get by one way or another.
“But for me, first and foremost, my aim is to play as many games as possible under the new gaffer and new regime. Hopefully we can take the club forward."
Murray turns 36 next Wednesday and is currently the second-oldest outfield player in the Premier League — but the forward refuses to think about his age and instead decides to put all his focus towards the future.
“It’s just a number, and it’s about trying to keep up with these younger lads that I play with day in day out. They help me feel young.
“It’s about keeping on top of my body, doing the right things and being more professional than I ever have been in my whole career.
“I haven’t thought about that [coaching and management], not yet. My full focus is on what I’m doing now and trying to become the oldest player in the Premier League.
“A birthday goal on Saturday would be fantastic, but two would be even better.”