Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic and Rangers were keen on Brighton winger Jamie Murphy in the summer but he moved to Ibrox unopposed in January.
In the middle of last summer’s transfer window, Sky Sports claimed that Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers were set to go head-to-head to sign Brighton winger Jamie Murphy in a £4 million deal.
But, by the time January rolled around, it appeared Rangers were the only Glasgow giant keen on a deal for the 28-year-old wide man, signing him on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.
And, as we digest this weekend’s action, Celtic fans could be forgiven for wondering why the stuttering champions did not renew their interest in a player who is starting to find his feet a few miles across Glasgow.
Because while Brendan Rodgers’ side lacked the guile and creativity to open up a disciplined St Johnstone team, drawing 0-0 at Parkhead, Rangers thrashed Hamilton away from home in one of their most impressive attacking performances of the season – all inspired by the brilliant Murphy.
The Glasgow-born former Motherwell talent was the star of the show in Rangers’ 5-3 win. He scored a first-half equaliser from an Alfredo Morelos cut back and then turned the game on its head with a remarkable three assists, including an inspired first-time backheel to gift Josh Windass the second of a clinical hat-trick.
On this form, Murphy is one of the most exciting and effective attackers in Scotland’s top flight and exactly the sort of game-changing talent that Celtic were so badly missing against St Johnstone.
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