Football is a game of moments, as Al Pacino once said, “a game of inches” even if he was referring to a different sport altogether.
The ash cloud from a volcanic eruption that saw Robert Levandowski’s flight to sign for Blackburn Rovers cancelled or for those who frequent Ibrox, when Michael Mols avoided landing on Oliver Khan only to virtually end his own career instead.
It’s maybe not quite on the same scale, however, the upturn in form and fortunes of Jacob Murphy from Rangers target to a player now being mentioned as a possible England international, is still a story worth telling.
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How Jacob Murphy has gone from Rangers target to Newcastle hero
Steven Gerrard was manager when a right-sided winger was needed to add balance to Ryan Kent on the left.
Not only was Murphy not being played by then Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, he was rarely included in squads as Rangers circled.
Even a change of management didn’t make much difference until Eddie Howe changed shape and used Murphy in a more defensive wingback role.
The arrival of Kieran Trippier saw the need for Murphy to play in defence lessened with Howe now appreciating the pace, work rate and final ball quality of a player who so nearly left St James’ Park for nothing with Rangers at the front of the queue for his signature.
The £12m signing extended his contracted and is now a Toon hero after scoring against Arsenal and sending them on their way to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final.
To think that some quarters of the Light Blues’ support questioned such a move, given his status as a Premier League flop.
Patience is a virtue for Rangers’ own Murphy
Why Murphy’s story does is serve as a reminder as to how fickle football can be.
Rangers fans have seen their own reincarnation this season with Nicolas Raskin, a player who had been cast aside as recently as the end of last season.
Philippe Clement dropped his compatriot entirely from the squad even when he was fully fit with the manager claiming that quality of performance was the problem.
Now, Raskin is arguably Rangers most important player and integral to how the whole team plays.
Much like Murphy, who was so nearly a team mate.
