Former Premier League striker, Kevin Philips, has backed Steven Gerrard’s decision to send Jamie Murphy out on loan to Burton Albion despite his blistering start to life in League 1.
Phillips, speaking to Football Insider, explains why he thinks his form doesn’t mean that the Rangers gaffer made a mistake.
So what has Phillips said?
When asked to reflect on Murphy’s form since signing for Burton and his decision to leave his boyhood club:
“It is a tough one. How many times do we see that when you let a player go…’
“For the benefit of the player and Rangers in the long-run, go and play, play well and make a name for yourself and when you come back at the start of next season you are ready to fit straight into that team.’
“It has happened so many times.’
“Credit to the kid because you leave a huge club like Rangers and everyone expects you to perform and when they do you love to see it. It was the right decision all round.”
So is Phillips correct?
Murphy was injured for the best part of twelve months and by the time he was fully fit he had missed pre-season, he turned down the chance to go out on loan in August but with hindsight will probably regret that decision as he has been a peripheral figure for Rangers ever since.
It has been a good move for all parties concerned with the player getting much needed game time to complete his rehabilitation, Burton getting a player who would normally not be available to them and the Light Blues getting to see a fringe player in first-team action with the hope that he can return to the squad next season.
Should Jamie Murphy have had more game time for Rangers this season?
Yes
No
Phillips is right, if Murphy can continue his form – 4 goals and 1 assist in 6 games – there is no reason why he can’t return to Ibrox like the proverbial new signing because he still has a year to go on his Rangers and will hope to continue to live out his dream of starring for his boyhood club.