Former Rangers star Jamie Murphy has opened up on how his move to Ibrox in early 2018 was a “no brainer” – but recalled how one Brighton teammate thought a switch to a Championship side was the obvious choice for the boyhood Gers fan.
Murphy arrived at Ibrox on loan in January 2018, agreeing on a permanent switch that summer, but also had interest from Bristol City as his time at Brighton looked like it was at an end.
While Murphy was set on making a lifelong dream come true by joining Rangers, Brighton teammate Glenn Murray thought a move to the Robins was the clear winner.
“It was a no brainer. Especially for me and my dad. My dad was a season ticket holder and followed them all his life, it was a big moment,” Murphy told Football Daft.
“But I was down south at Brighton at the time, I could have went to Bristol City. I remember speaking to Glenn Murray about it and going ‘I’ve got Bristol City and Rangers’ and he went ‘no brainer, surely you’re going to Bristol City?’.
“I was like ‘nah, it’s a no brainer the other way’. Down there they just don’t look at Scotland at all.
“Connor (Goldson) was at Brighton and you quickly learn it’s a different case up here.
“He played one season and then the next we signed another centre half and he was in and out but he’s always had that leadership.
“Look at him last year and he was arguably one of the best players in the league.
“He’s got that in him. When the time comes for him to leave he’ll go on and be a good player down south.”
Murphy’s Rangers dream didn’t quite go to plan
While Murphy got his wish to join Rangers – and impressed during his initial loan stint – a serious injury in one of Steven Gerrard’s first game was the beginning of the end for him.
A lengthy spell on the sidelines right at the start of Gerrard’s reign meant he was left behind by new signings.
A loan stint at Burton hinted he was back at his best but a move to Hibs quickly followed as his Rangers dream came to an end.
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