Glasgow Rangers returned to Ibrox and secured the three points to move to within six points of the Scottish Premiership summit.
It may have appeared to be something of a gamble to agree a guaranteed permanent deal for the end of the season given that the winger had made just one league start for the Seagulls in the months leading up to the move.
However, just eight games into his Rangers career, it appears that agreeing that permanent clause looks set to prove something of a masterstroke from the Scottish Premiership side.
Murphy made a somewhat uninspiring start to life at Ibrox, but has raced through the gears in the last few weeks and now looks as if he may have to be considered as one of the first names on Graeme Murty’s teamsheet right now.
The 28-year-old has scored three goals in his last three games, including the opener in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Hearts at Ibrox that takes Murty’s men to within six points of the top of the table in the Scottish Premiership.
It was also Murphy who bagged three assists in the 5-3 win over Hamilton Academical last weekend, proving that he is striking up some very strong partnerships within the squad.
If Murphy manages to maintain this form until the end of the season, Brighton would be forgiven for kicking themselves for already agreeing a permanent fee. While the Seagulls may not rue letting Murphy leave, they may feel that they could have possibly got significantly more for him had they waited until the summer to agree terms – and that may have also left Rangers battling other teams for his signature.
But Rangers can relax given that the permanent terms have already been agreed. And based on Murphy’s current form, that deal may have to go down as one of the Gers’ best throughout the entire campaign.
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