THE stats don’t lie for Jamie Murphy. In truth, he knows they could be even better.

In the 25 matches he has played for Rangers, the winger has been involved in 20 goals.

His game used to be all about the finishing touch but he takes as much pleasure in the assists as the six strikes he has to his credit for the Light Blues.

Murphy may not always be a flashy performer, but he is certainly effective and he will have a key role to play for Steven Gerrard’s side over the course of the campaign.

His next outing will come in Slovenia this evening as Rangers look to finish what they have started against Maribor and progress to the Europa League play-off round.

On a night where one goal could well do, Murphy is high on the list of players who could get it. He would be just as content to set it up, though.

Murphy said: “I am delighted. I didn't know about that stat until someone mentioned it the other day. The first thing I noticed was that it could have been a lot higher as well.

“That is me just trying to do my job and set up goals and score goals and being a threat for the team.

“I am a bit of both now and it has probably changed as I have got older. I was a striker when I was younger so it was all about goals and when I have moved into midfield I get the same satisfaction at setting up one.

“We have players in the team like Alfredo who can put it in the net and he is in good form at the moment.

“He has been great. He worked really hard in pre-season and the staff and all the boys have helped him get to the levels he is at now and that is where we want him to stay. If you are a number nine and scoring goals it is not a bad thing.”

Murphy started the first leg at Ibrox on the bench as boss Steven Gerrard utilised Daniel Candeias and Ryan Kent in the wide areas.

He still an impact, though, as he set up Lassana Coulibaly for the Gers’ third goal of the night. It could prove to be the decisive one in the tie.

Murphy said: “They will come out and look to score early and we would do the same if the score was like this. We are prepared for that and we will do things properly.

“Some games deserve a defensive performance and away from home in Europe is probably one of those games. We will put the work in and we are definitely ready for the game.

“You saw in the home leg that it was maybe the intensity which won us the game so it is up to us to match that over there, match them and then go and do our bits as well.

“We have had a good pre-season so all the boys are full of energy and fitness and you can tell by the second half performance that we have got that level to lift it and that is where it has come from.

“That is where we have got to set our level at. We set that pace in the second half and if we can do that in every game, that is what we are looking for. Sometimes it doesn't happen but that is what we are looking for.”

Officially, Murphy is one of the 11 signings that Gerrard has made this summer as he has overhauled the squad and transformed Rangers’ fortunes in a short space of time.

But he has been making his presence felt for far longer than most after impressing during a loan spell from Brighton in the second half of last season.

Murphy said: “I think the base was definitely there and the new signings coming in have gelled well so there is a good group of boys in there.

“I like to think myself and the boys that were here have made them feel welcome and you are seeing that on the park.

“It was important because I remember going into new clubs and you want to be accepted into the group.

“That has been the case here. Everyone has been accepted into the group and you can see that in the performances."