Steven Gerrard applauds Jamie Murphy after first game in 14 months | OneFootball

Scotland international winger Jamie Murphy finally got into Steven Gerrard’s 18 for the first time against Hamilton over the weekend, playing strong in 26 minutes off the bench as Rangers rolled to a 5-0 victory.

This was Murphy’s first appearance in a Rangers shirt since he ruptured his ACL 14 months ago during last August’s League Cup win at Kilmarnock on artifical turf, and the gaffer had a lot of good things to say about the 30-year-old.

“It’s not just about getting him minutes – I think he deserves to be in the 18 today as he has been pushing in training and looking stronger.

“I think his strength is coming back in his legs now after a long lay-off. He deserved the opportunity – he was really close to getting on the scoresheet as well, but unfortunately he was offside.

“Jamie must keep pushing now – keep pushing and, as a squad, it is very difficult to pick 18 now because of the quality we have got and people coming back from injury.

“People need to work ever-so hard to stay in the team and stay in the 18.”

Murphy proved how influential he could be at Rangers while on loan from Brighton for the second half of the 2017-18 season, scoring six goals and adding 11 assists in 26 games during that time.

Murphy then signed on a permanent deal for £1m in summer 2018 and is under contract until 2021.