Daryl Murphy signed for Newcastle last summer for a cut-price £3.5m and there was never any real feeling that he was going to be any more than a backup striker with Dwight Gayle and Aleksander Mitrovic on the scene.
Despite being given a minimal role Murphy approached his job with true professionalism scoring 6 goals in 15 Championship games (most of which were substitute appearances) and will be remembered mainly for his brilliant winning header against Brentford.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzHVaUnaALM
Newcastle signed Murphy against their own policy as the club unofficially opts for players under the age of 27, but given the nature of what they needed him for an exception was made to bring the 34-year-old.
Speaking about his departure to Chronicle Live, Murphy couldn't have shown any more class about his time at the club and didn't seem to be bothered that he was given little chance despite having a decent goal record.
I had no illusions that I was going to be starting for Newcastle in the Premier League if we got up.
I have got another year left on my contract and I will go back there for pre-season and just look at my options.
Last season was good, though, Rafa managed everything very well. We had a lot of big name players and maybe if it had been another manager he wouldn’t have got the best out of them as there would have been players sulking.
Murphy's praise didn't stop there, he compared this season to his time at Celtic saying that he felt more part of the title-winning campaign this time round.
I scored six times and felt I deserved my medal whereas before, when I was at Celtic, we won the Cup but I barely featured and didn’t take a medal then because I had not earned it.
This time I played my part. And I have Rafa to thank for that. To work with him, you see at first-hand how good he is and realise why he has such a superb CV. His attention to detail, everything is spot-on. He wants to know everything that is going on at the club. He makes time for everyone.
Murphy spoke similarly of Martin O'Neil ahead of tonight's game saying that being part of the squad gives him ''belief'' and that he had drawn great confidence from being included in his plans.
Many Newcastle players over the years say that the fans will either love you or hate you and despite being a former Sunderland player Murphy is going to be remembered fondly on the back of his incredibly graceful exit from the club.
[Chronicle]
