Rangers winger Jamie Murphy has been out of action for much of the season at Ibrox.
The diehard bluenose was left absolutely gutted after a knee injury on Kilmarnock’s plastic pitch way back in August. If one good thing has come out of it, it’s seeing Murphy’s determination to come back a stronger, better player.
But as have Rangers struggled to find goals from midfield and the flanks, how big a miss has the Scotland international been?
One of the biggest differences between Rangers and Celtic this season has been those goals from out wide and in midfield. You very much get the feeling Steven Gerrard had Murphy in mind to score these goals to make up the difference.
Ryan Kent, for as good a player he is, isn’t as established a goalscorer as Jamie Murphy. The former Brighton man got five in the second half of last season for Rangers, Kent only has five now. Whilst Murphy isn’t an out-and-out goalscorer, he will hit the back of the net semi-regularly.
Daniel Candeias too is a player who is also more about creating than finishing. It’s put a huge burden on Alfredo Morelos, and whilst the striker has risen to that challenge, it’s difficult to be the matchwinner every game.
Rangers need players to chime in with goals all over the pitch and Murphy is one who could’ve done so. Had he been available, Rangers would have a strong option in the final third.
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Now, it’s about getting Murphy fit to perhaps play a role in the final furlong. Failing that, it’ll be great to see him back at Ibrox come next season.
But as our issues persist in sourcing more goals from midfield, he is proving a loss this year.
Can the same be said for this controversial star we sold in the summer?
