Two times Scotland international Jamie Murphy was being seen as smart signing by Rangers in the summer of 2018. After all, he had a decent amount of experience in the English second and third-tier and even in the Premier League as well. However, the former Brighton player had to miss more than a year of action due to an injury which he suffered in August last year.
The 30-year-old winger has made his comeback now and has appeared twice for Rangers this season as a substitute. However, he was brought on when those games were already done and dusted. It was clear that Gerrard brought him on to give him some minutes instead of wanting any impact from the winger on the pitch.
No way in for Murphy when everyone will be fit
Moreover, Ryan Kent and Jordan Jones were not involved in the matchday squad against Hamilton and Ross County, where Murphy came off the bench. The Scotsman is a left-winger, and he will undoubtedly be down the pecking order when the two prime wingers like Kent and Jones make a full return.
Apart from that, Gerrard has even used Scott Arfield in the wide role this season. Sheyi Ojo can also easily slot in on the left. Hence, when everyone is likely fit and available, Murphy will probably find it hard to even get into the matchday squad at the moment.
Why should Gerrard take this harsh call?
Young wingers like Glenn Middleton and Jake Hastie are away on loan, and even in the future, Murphy will likely struggle for game time. Rangers have Murphy under contract until 2021, and we think that the Bears should look to sell him either in January or in the summer.
It will be undoubtedly unfair on the Scotsman as he never got many opportunities to impress at Ibrox. However, Rangers have a relatively large roster at the moment, and even Steven Gerrard once claimed that the squad is bloated. With Murphy’s previous experience of playing in the Championship and League One, there will probably be some takers of him if Rangers try to sell him.
However, selling the winger in January could be tough as Murphy still hasn’t proven that he is back to his hundred percent. If he can remain fit and play some cameos then maybe Rangers can earn a decent fee for him in the summer of 2020. Letting him run down his contract until 2021 will be naive, and hence Gerrard should look to take this call even though it will be harsh as Murphy hasn’t done much wrong since arriving at Rangers.
