Dorrans backs rehab buddy Murphy to star at Easter Road Every day I’d watch Jamie work his balls off to get back in shape.. Hibs have signed an incredibly good player
GRAHAM DORRANS recalls months of hell in the Rangers treatment room with Jamie Murphy as they saw their boyhood dreams descend into injury nightmares.
But the former Scotland star insists his old Ibrox team-mate will make up for lost time by becoming the lightning rod for the Jack Ross revolution in Edinburgh.
After having his Rangers career cut short with a chronic foot problem Dorrans made the switch to Dundee last season after seeing more of the Gers medical staff than the training pitch with manager Steven Gerrard.
It’s that frustration which is driving the 33-year-old to savour every moment at Dens Park and he’s backing Murphy to have his own Indian summer in Leith after recovering from the knee pain which crippled his chances of shining in Glasgow.
Dorrans said: “The worst thing in football is being told you face a lengthy period out of the team through injury. I know both in my case and with Jamie, for us it was the worst thing in the world.
“We would arrive at the training ground every morning and have to watch the rest of the boys head out to train. That was a form of torture. It was great to have someone like Jamie with me, to work with and we bounced off one another.
“There were weeks on end where I would spend time with Jamie in the gym, fighting to get back.
“We were stuck there, on the bikes, doing strength and condition and all sorts of rehab, that’s why I’m delighted to see he’s back playing again and showing what a good player he is.
“Nobody knows about the hard work involved to get him there, the daily routine, the same stretching, strengthening and running exercises.
“It helps to have someone with you and the physio, it also helped the time pass. That is mentally tough and that’s why I’m so glad to see him back playing with Hibs.
“It was a double whammy for Jamie as he earned the move to the club he supported as a boy and was starting to hit form when he injured his knee in a game at Kilmarnock.
“He’s done unbelievably well to come back from what was a really bad injury. To be completely honest, he’s worked his balls off to get back to where he now is.
“There is a side to him which is gutted that he never really had the opportunity to fit back into the Rangers side as he was fit for most of last season. He’ll be disappointed not to get that opportunity he wanted but he’ll be out to show his quality at Hibs.”
Murphy joined the capital club on loan last month in a deal that will become permanent next summer and made his debut off the bench in a 1-0 home defeat to Aberdeen before being handed his first start at the weekend in a 3-0 win over St Mirren.
Ross hailed his new recruit’s display and the options he brings to the table on the left flank after playing a starring role in Paisley and Dorrans is in no doubt what the 31-year-old will provide this season.
He said: “Jamie’s seven goals while
on loan at Burton Albion at the end of last season was certainly a statement. He probably felt he was coming back up the road this summer to get his chance in the Rangers team.
“I don’t know the ins and outs but from what I heard Jamie had done well throughout the pre-season and was ready to go but he’s moved on now.
“Look at what Jamie’s done in the game, he’s had a great career and he’ll lift the quality of most dressing rooms. He’s also only 31 and even though Hibs are a great club, they have signed an unbelievably good player.
“It’s about getting games under his belt again and proving how good he is. He still has years ahead at the highest level. I heard how good he was against St Mirren and that’s the quality Murph will bring to Hibs.”
Murphy was forced to miss Sunday’s lunchtime clash at Easter Road with his old club due to conditions of his loan deal with his parent club.
But Dorrans is adamant that frustration can be more than compensated by the impact he can have on his team this season as they attack down both flanks with Martin Boyle a potent partner on the opposite channel.
He said: “Even though Jamie wasn’t able to face Rangers on Sunday, he will be really eager to prove a point to them through his performances this season.
“He will score you goals and he’ll also create them. He’s very deceptive, he can come inside and is very good on the ball as he drifts into pockets and he’s a terrific dribbler.
“Jamie’s a very intelligent footballer, Boyle’s more direct and with pace but Jamie can come inside and link the play and make things happen. The bottom line is he’ll be just like me, just happy to be back playing football again.”
It’s about getting games and proving how good he is. He still has years at the highest level GRAHAM DORRANS ON JAMIE MURPHY’S FUTURE