Murphy targets return before end of season

schedule since going under the knife and is pleased with the progress he is making with the Light Blues’ medical staff.

He said: “To get outside, hopefully.

I never thought I would be looking forward to running so much.

“I can’t wait to get outside, put the boots on and even just go a jog. It is something that when you don’t do it you miss.

“I have got a date in my head. The surgeons told me a date and he pretty much said the season, but we will see how it goes. I always find myself to be a quick healer so we will see how the next couple of months go.

“I feel that I can play in a number of positions so it is not a worry for me at the minute to think about getting back in the team. I am just looking forward to getting back fit.”

The loss of Murphy was a huge blow to boss Steven Gerrard as he was denied the services of one of his key attacking talents just weeks into the campaign.

The 29-year-old made a real impression for the Gers during a loan spell at Ibrox last term and admits it has been difficult watching Gerrard’s side in action this season.

“It has been really hard, I have never had this amount of time out of football before,” Murphy told RangersTV. “Sometimes I just find myself standing at the window watching training like a little boy. But it is motivation to try and get back and get back in the team to help in any way that I can.

“I have tried to keep a positive mindset throughout, reading some books and speaking to people. If you think negatively, negative things will happen.”