Seagulls winger Murphy closing in on ‘dream move’ to Rangers

Brighton winger Jamie Murphy admits he is close to fulfilling a boyhood dream by signing for Rangers.

The former Motherwell player arrived in Glasgow yesterday for a medical and could complete a transfer to Ibrox before Graeme Murty’s squad head off on a midseason trip to Florida.

When asked at Glasgow Airport if it was his dream to sign for Rangers, locally-born Murphy said: “Always, so hopefully I can get the medical through.

“I don’t think it’s all done yet but it’s good to be home. It’s the club I supported as a boy.”

Murphy scored 10 goals in his first two seasons for Brighton and made 40 appearances last term as they sealed promotion, but the 28-yearold has only played four times in the Premier League.

The former Scotland Under-21 international hit 50 goals for Motherwell before moving to Sheffield United five years ago.

The Ibrox side completed their first January signing on Wednesday when QPR midfielder Sean Goss arrived on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Rangers also have Michael O’halloran back in their ranks following a loan spell with St Johnstone and are trying to secure the early return of Andy Halliday from a season-long deal with Gabala of Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, Rangers have loaned 18-year-old left-back Myles Beerman to Queen of the South until the end of the season.

He made eight first-team appearances last season before making his Malta debut but has been hampered by injury this season.