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Good job Graeme Murty: Why Rangers’ imminent £1m-plus deal to sign attacker is a good move

Jamie Murphy

Good job Graeme Murty: Why Rangers’ imminent £1m-plus deal to sign Jamie Murphy is a good move

Scottish Premiership side Rangers are close to making their first signing of 2018. According to reports from the Daily Mail, the Gers are on the verge of completing a £1million move for Brighton & Hove Albion winger Jamie Murphy.  

The 28-year old has been on the fringes of the Seagulls squad in their first season in the Premier League, despite having played a huge hand in helping them achieve promotion from the Championship. And now, the Light Blues are poised to capture him in the winter transfer window. 

The Gers currently sit 3rd in the Scottish Premiership, 11 points behind leaders and bitter rivals Celtic and 3 behind second-placed Aberdeen. Having finished 2nd last term, they will be intent on bettering their outcome this term. While the title is not a realistic target, beating the Dons to the 2nd place would represent a good result for the Glasgow-based outfit. Investments in January will be needed for them to achieve that.

Murphy is a life-long Rangers fan and has been on the radar of club’s director of football, Mark Allen, for quite some time now. The Scotsman started off his professional career with Motherwell, before moving down south to England to join Sheffield United in 2013. He joined Brighton two years later and has grown into an integral part of the team.  

Last season, the 28-year old featured 35 times in the EFL Championship for the Seagulls, in which he managed to come up with returns of 2 goals and 3 assists, helping his side achieve automatic promotion by virtue of a 2nd-place finish. However, game time has come at a premium for him in the ongoing campaign with manager Chris Hughton fielding him just five times in all competitions this term. 

Primarily a left-sided winger, Murphy’s versatility is one of his biggest strengths, as he can play through the middle as well as on the flanks with comfort. He has, on occasions, led the line as well. The 28-year old may not be the fastest of the players on the pitch but offers a lot with his intelligent movement and perception of space.

Capable of cutting inside on to his stronger right foot or hugging the touchline, the former Scotland youth international also possesses a keen eye for the goal, which would greatly help the Gers.

With summer signing Daniel Candeias not able to perform consistently on the flanks and reports of a possible January move for Josh Windass to Preston North End, adding another wide player to the ranks would be a very sensible move for the Gers.

A veteran of 175 Scottish Premiership appearances during his time with Motherwell, Murphy will only improve the quality of this Rangers unit with his experience and goal-scoring acumen from the wide areas. He will be a shrewd addition to Graeme Murty’s side.