Aged 28, Rangers winger Jamie Murphy could finally win his first Scotland cap against Costa Rica.
After years of disappointment despite playing a high level of football, Jamie Murphy looks finally destined to win the first Scotland cap of his career.
Murphy has been included in Scotland squads in the past, but is yet to actually feature for the national team, but since his loan move to boyhood club Rangers, the 28-year-old is finally receiving the recognition he has deserved.
A Scotland under-21 international 14 times, the former Sheffield United player has five years experience playing in the English Football League, two of which were in the Championship, which is generally more than enough to warrant a call up for Scotland.
Not only was he playing for a promotion chasing team in Brighton, Scotland’s attacking options over the past several years have been disappointingly poor, which makes it all the more peculiar that Murphy is still to earn his debut.
Nevertheless, the Scotsman is delighted to be involved in the national team set up and cannot wait for the chance to get out on the pitch with the Tartan Army.
Speaking to the Glasgow Evening Times, Murphy said: “It is always the aim when you come away, you want to get some game time and be involved. Hopefully I can be involved in a winning team.
“If you are playing regular football at a good level then you are always in with a chance of being in the squad. I am doing well but I always want to keep trying to get better and improving. It felt great to get the call-up.
“It would mean a lot, it is something I have always wanted, to play for my country. I was disappointed not to get a cap before so I want to do my best.”
Murphy, along with the likes of manager Graeme Murty and fellow January arrival Sean Goss have been the figureheads leading the way in terms of Rangers’ resurgence. Should the good work continue, and Murphy impress McLeish on his first chance, despite being 28, the Costa Rica friendly could be the first of many caps to come for the forward.
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