Rangers linked winger Jacob Murphy scored a stunning late equaliser for Newcastle against Wolves on Sunday after staying to fight for a spot at the Premier League club.
The Daily Record reported in August that the Gers were keeping tabs on the 25-year-old, who Newcastle signed from Norwich City for £12m in 2017 [Daily Mail].
It was claimed that the Magpies were willing to listen to offers, with multiple English Championship clubs including Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday also credited with interest [TEAMtalk].
However, Newcastle boss, Steve Bruce, asserted in late September that the winger had impressed with his attitude in pre-season and would be staying at St James’ Park [Newcastle United FC Twitter].
Most of his recent opportunities have come in the League Cup but he was handed his first Premier League start of the campaign against Wolves on Sunday and he repaid his manager’s faith.
Newcastle trailed 1-0 as the clock ticked towards full-time at Molineux but in the 89th minute, Murphy whipped an inch-perfect free-kick around the hosts’ wall and into the bottom right corner.
It was an impressive second ever top-flight goal from the former England U21 international, who will be now looking for a run of games in the starting XI.
If Murphy was a genuine target for Rangers, though, they aren’t suffering for missing out on him.
Steven Gerrard’s men brushed aside Livingston in a 2-0 win at Ibrox earlier on Sunday afternoon, stretching their advantage at the top of the Premiership table to six points, although Celtic do still retain a game in hand.
