Brighton winger Jamie Murphy was linked with Celtic and Rangers in August – and the Old Firm rivals may be in an excellent position to try again in January.
Another Old Firm battle looked set to take place in the final days of the summer transfer window. According to Sky Sports, Celtic and Rangers were both interested in bringing Jamie Murphy back to Scotland from Brighton and Hove Albion.
And while the 28-year-old was understandably keen to take his first chance in the Premier League instead, his lack of opportunities since could gave way to renewed speculation in the January transfer window.
Murphy has played just once from the start in the top flight this season while coming off the bench a further three times with Brighton’s record signing Jose Izquierdo nailing down a place on the left hand side of attack.
And with Murphy seemingly unlikely to force his way back into Chris Hughton’s side any time soon, surely the former Motherwell star will be more open to a return to his homeland in the New Year.
The question, however, is whether Celtic or Rangers will still be interested.
League leaders Celtic appear to have little use for another winger with Scott Sinclair and James Forrest in fine form. Summer signing Jonny Hayes, the former Aberdeen talisman nominated for the SPFA Player of the Year award last season, has barely got a look in so far.
But with Patrick Roberts ruled out for three months with a hamstring injury, Murphy could come in handy as a short-term solution. And, valued at £4 million (Sky Sports), Celtic have the financial clout that rivals Rangers simply can’t match.
Though the boys in blue would have far more use for Murphy with the left-wing position still in need of strengthening while deals for Jamie Walker and Lewis Morgan are looking more doubtful by the week.
But do Rangers have the funds to tempt Brighton into a sale?
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