Mystery over returning Rangers man…

We’ve touched on his return recently, and with yesterday’s developments we seriously wonder now about Jamie Murphy’s Rangers future.

Murphy, of course, ran out with the reserves against Stirling Albion, alongside fellow forgotten men Graham Dorrans and Joe Dodoo. Many could make a fair argument, especially in Murphy’s case, that it was for minutes following his extensive absence through injury, and that would be a reasonably just cause of conversation.

Unfortunately, with Rangers having a formal friendly today, it’s one which may lack a bit of gravity – if Murphy has a Rangers future, why send him out for a reserves match on Saturday when a proper piece of serious competition is available on the Sunday?

There are theories Stevie will select an XI close to the side to take the field in Gibraltar on Tuesday – a dress rehearsal per se for the first competitive action of the season in the Europa League, and that too is a fair summary.

But if it is the case, does Murphy’s participation in a reserves’ match rather than today’s suggest he won’t be part of Tuesday’s either?

Murphy has fought hard to regain fitness, but Gerrard’s acquisition of three wingers this summer with a number (including Murphy) already on the books is not a promising sign for the former Brighton man.

Of course, it could turn out Murphy is involved today after all, and is simply trying to put his body through some intense prep by playing/being involved two days in a row (not completely unheard of, true, but rare), but we’d be surprised if the 29-year old is even on the bench today.

But with Jordan Jones, Jake Hastie, Glenn Middleton, and the continuing pursuit of Ryan Kent not to mention Sheyi Ojo, the competition in that position is very, very strong. And we haven’t even mentioned Eros Grezda or Daniel Candeias.

Ultimately though, if today’s friendly is just about minutes for the squad, why did Murphy play yesterday and not today, if he has a future?

Either way, it doesn’t potentially bode that well unless he is involved in this afternoon’s match day squad.