FIRST STRIKE
Rangers closing in on deal for Brighton forward Murphy
RANGERS are closing in on their first signing of 2018 as a £1million-plus deal for Jamie Murphy nears completion.
The former Motherwell and Sheffield United attacker, a key player in Brighton’s promotion to the English Premier League last season, has managed only a handful of appearances for Chris Hughton’s men in the top flight.
Left out of the squad for yesterday’s 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth, the boyhood Rangers fan has long featured on the wanted list drawn up by Ibrox director of football Mark Allen.
With Josh Windass still the subject of interest from Preston North End, the need for a goal-scoring wide man could soon become even more pressing.
And Sportsmail understands that Rangers and Brighton are close to reaching an agreement for the 28-year-old. While Murphy (left) returns north, Ibrox full-back
James Tavernier has
been urged to reject the chance to join English Championship strugglers Sunderland because his improved displays with Rangers could land him a bigger move. Former Rangers and Sunderland midfielder Alex Rae was impressed with Tavernier’s performance in the goalless draw at Celtic Park last Saturday. And he believes that the Ibrox club should be doing their utmost to keep the attacking right-back by persuading him that even better options will arise. The Black Cats, currently second bottom of the second tier in England, have been keeping tabs on the 26-year-old, who has the second highest number of assists in Scotland’s top flight. But Rae told Sportsmail: ‘I wouldn’t want Tavernier to go. And I’ve seen the interest from Sunderland. But, on the basis of what we saw at the weekend, you can see exactly what Rangers want from James time after time. He has the physicality to do that. ‘And, if he keeps producing, that would make you think he can go even higher than — no disrespect to a great club — a Sunderland.’ Rangers also face a battle to hold on to Windass, with Preston poised to return with a bid of around £1m for a player currently hitting his best form. Rae said the Ibrox club should be reluctant to listen to offers, arguing: ‘Josh Windass is contributing quite a lot of goals to Rangers this season. ‘Because of his pace, he’s always been dangerous. Now the team are managing to utilise that. I wouldn’t imagine Rangers would want to part with him any time soon.’