Murphy: I’m here to stay

RELIEVED Rangers new boy Jamie Murphy feared his dream of playing for the Ibrox club was over before it had started.

The winger finally touched down in Florida yesterday and met his new team-mates and gaffer Graeme Murty at their Tampa training base.

But it was 24 hours later than

planned after parent club Brighton held up the move.

Murphy had to patiently wait before a loan deal was struck late on Saturday night and he was given the green light to fly to Orlando.

The 28-year-old was thrilled to finally sign for his boyhood club – but admits at one point he feared it wouldn’t happen.

And with Rangers having a buy option at the end of the season Murphy says he considers himself a permanent signing for the Ibrox club.

He said: “I thought it might not go through. But Rangers were terrific with me throughout.

“The manager, Stewart Robertson, Mark Allen and Andy Scoulding were great in telling me they all wanted me at the club.

“There was a moment when I feared it might not happen but we were still confident it would.

“I had spoken to Chris Hughton at Brighton about Rangers before. He knew how big a fan I was.

“So the gaffer down there was great with me.

“It’s a guaranteed permanent transfer so – even though it’s a loan – I’m a Rangers player.”