Jamie Murphy’s return date could be a lot sooner than first anticipated.
The Rangers winger has been speaking to the Daily Record this morning, and touched on a variety of topics in a wide-ranging interview.
What will stand out most for Rangers fans, however, is that Murphy is targeting a return before the season’s end. This comes after he damaged his knee ligaments at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock back in August.
The much maligned artificial surface at Killie has long been controversial. Many of the top sides in Scotland struggle to play on it and generally leave Ayrhsire with an injury. Certain players also can’t even touch the surface, with clubs making players unavailable for selection when they play on it.
Murphy was just another casualty in this regard, but he’s vowed to bounce back and make his return sooner than anyone thought.
“My target is to play again before the end of the season.Even if it’s two minutes at the end of the last game, that will be good enough for me.
“The surgeon’s aims are a bit different but that’s certainly my target. Hopefully the team are challenging for the title and Scottish Cup and my challenge is to get back before it finishes. If I do then it would be great to play a part.
“Either way, I’ll be ready to go for the next one.”
Tough to come back from
The goal is certainly an admirable one. Damaged knee ligaments are tough to come back from and be anything like you were before. Murphy’s spirits, however, still seem high as he targets his early recovery.
The left-winger would’ve been hoping to come on to a game in recent weeks. His injury came at an extremely poor time of the season, just as Steven Gerrard was making his mark at the club.
Murphy’s injury has damaged his chances of being a big part of that. Instead, he’s now lost his place to Ryan Kent, who’ll be looking to earn a permanent deal at Ibrox after the campaign ends.
As for artificial surfaces, the sooner they’re scrapped then the better for everyone. In 2018, we shouldn’t be seeing these kind of pitches in Scotland’s top flight.
Once again, Rangers will take to what looks like one of the worst ones at Almondvale today. Livingston will play the hosts, and the Gers will have to be careful.
So long as Gerrard’s men can get out of there with the three points and no injuries, it’ll be a massive success and relief.
