NEW BOY’S RIGHT AT HOME
EX-STARS LAND IBROX ROLES
AS a kid he idolised legendary Rangers winger Brian Laudrup. As a player, when Jamie Murphy didn’t have a game, he’d desperately try to be at Ibrox watching his boyhood heroes. And even before Brighton’s matches in the Premier League he’d have Gers on a TV if they were kicking off early. It’s fair to say the 28-year-old isn’t just a fan – he’s a fanatic. That’s why when the club made a move for him there was nothing else on his mind other than getting to Glasgow. Even when the deal looked in doubt over the weekend Murphy stayed focused and prayed it would go through. Now that he has touched down in Florida and met his team-mates the wideman is desperate to make an impact. Murphy couldn’t hide his delight at officially being a Rangers player, following in the footsteps of his icons, Laudrup, Paul Gascoigne and Jorg Albertz. And his family are just as thrilled as he is at joining Graeme Murty’s side. From Rangers’ training camp in Orlando, Murphy said: “I’m so glad to have finally joined the club because it’s what I wanted. “As soon as I knew Rangers were keen for me to join it was a no-brainer. “It’s a club myself and my family have supported all our lives. So when I heard they were interested – and I wasn’t playing at Brighton – there was only one place I was going. “My family are happy. My wife and kids can get back up the road and my dad can get to my games a bit more easily. “He always used to come down to every match, even at Brighton, and it was difficult for him. “He would have to fly down there but I know he’s delighted I’m at Rangers now. “If I had a weekend off or didn’t have a game I’d make the effort to get up to Rangers games – or at least watch them on television. “I can’t quite remember the first game I went to as a kid but I remember going with the whole family to a match against Hearts. “It was a golden era back then. Laudrup was always my favourite but that team was brilliant. People like Gazza, Laudrup and Albertz were all players I loved to watch. “And I’ve been lucky enough to meet some of them over the years. “I had Stuart McCall as my manager at Motherwell and I’ve met Mark Hateley through his son Tom. Those guys are still remembered at Ibrox especially among my generation.
“So I’m excited to join the club. Things are looking up for Rangers. We were unlucky not to win the derby against Celtic so there’s plenty to look forward to.
“I want to win trophies here, that’s what everyone aims for in their career.
“You want to be remembered when you eventually leave. That’s what Rangers are all about – winning things.”
Murphy will join a Rangers team with more of a British core after gaffer Murty also signed Sean Goss from QPR as well as recalling Michael O’Halloran and Andy Halliday from loans.
Former Motherwell star Murphy is one of a growing list of Gers supporters in the squad – boys who know the history and what it means to pull on that shirt.
But he is also realistic and knows their allegiance will mean nothing if they’re not producing performances every week.
And he hopes to link up with one of the foreigners who has impressed this term, Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos.
Murphy said: “I know a couple of the boys already. I played with Jason Holt at Sheffield United and Danny Wilson coming through the Scotland ranks.
“I’ve also played against a lot of them either in Scotland or England. I played against Graham Dorrans last season when he was at Norwich.
“He’s a great player who did well down there and started his Rangers career really well before his injury.
“He’s the type of player you want in the team. But I’m also looking forward to working with someone like Alfredo. I’ve watched him in a lot of games and it’s great FORMER Rangers players Kevin Thomson and Gregory Vignal have returned to Ibrox as academy coaches.
Thomson and ex-Liverpool defender Vignal will work with the Under-13s to Under-15s while Stuart Taylor has also joined to fill in for Graeme to have players who can score goals. Is it important to have a core of Rangers fans in the squad? It won’t be if we’re losing.
“Football’s all about winning, whatever team you support or wherever you come from. We all just want to do well for Rangers. Our aim should be to get the club back into Europe.
“That is all Rangers have ever known and it should be what we’re trying to achieve here. I enjoyed playing in Europe with Motherwell and I scored a few goals. I want to do that for Rangers.”
Murphy is adamant Gers are getting a much improved player to the one who left Fir Park for Sheffield United five years ago.
He excelled in the Championship and started this season playing for Brighton in the Premier League before they broke their transfer record by signing winger Jose Izquierdo for £13.5million.
But Murphy hopes the move to Ibrox can revitalise him – and help him earn a first senior Scotland cap.
He said: “I’ve changed a lot since I left Motherwell, I feel I’m a much better player.
“Getting caps for Scotland is something I’ve always tried to do.
“Maybe if I’m successful at Rangers it can take me there.”
Jimmy Nicholl is another true blue who’s thrilled to be back with Gers after being named as Murty’s No.2.
He’s in Florida with the squad and said: “Rangers have made an old man very happy. There are thousands of people who would love this position and will be asking how the hell did I get it?
“If there’s a problem I don’t want players chapping the manager’s door – they can come to me. It’s about trying to give the manager less hassle.”
SCOTT McDERMOTT IN FLORIDA
Murty in the development squad until summer.
Taylor, 43, was first-team coach at Hamilton and Limerick boss before Paul Lambert took him to Aston Villa as Under-23s manager and then Wolves as a coach.
Gers’ head of academy Craig Mulholland said: “Kevin and Gregory are well-known faces to the fans and Taylor is someone we have been watching for some time.
“It is his work as Aston Villa U-23s coach where he initiated some innovative ideas and at Wolves in the Championship which has attracted us to him.”
What strikes you over here is the crowds that even the college games get. Astonishing