FOOTBALL: Murphy wants to end season on high
WILLIAM Murphy is hoping to put a season of frustration behind him by helping Linfield lift the Carling Premiership title.
The Blues remain on course to reclaim the Gibson Cup after surging four points clear at the top and with games in hand of their nearest rivals.
Tonight David Jeffrey's side travels to Solitude to take on second-place Cliftonville, where victory would see them firmly in the box seat as we enter the final furlong.
Murphy looks set to play a pivotal role in that title drive following Kris Lindsay's horrific facial injury sustained against Glentoran in the Irish Cup.
And after spending most of the season on the sidelines, the 35-year-old is relishing the opportunity.
"Kris has a bad injury, and I know first hand what it is like as I suffered a similar one a few years ago," Murphy said.
"I suppose one player's misfortune gives another the chance to come in and do something. It is sad when that happens but that's football. Kris has done tremendously well this year and I thought I wouldn't get my chance.
"But I came in against Dungannon last week in the league and did well, so fingers crossed I will be in the squad for Tuesday night against Cliftonville."
Murphy's football career was thrown in jeopardy last summer when he was arrested in Spain on charges of handling counterfeit currency.
The Blues stalwart - who was facing a minimum of eight years behind bars - spent two weeks in Valdemoro and Alhaurin prisons before being released on bail.
The charges were eventually dropped by Spanish authorities at the end of July, bringing to an end a summer of hell on the continent.
"It has been a frustrating season for myself. There was a bit of turmoil last summer, but that's not something I want to dwell on," he said.
"I didn't get a pre-season under my belt and I was also injured, and when I did come back I suffered a loss of form and found myself out of the team.
"I thought my chance might never come again, but I just worked hard and now I might get an opportunity following Kris's injury.
"I just have to hope David keeps picking me from now to the end of the season."
Murphy is preparing to be thrown into the firing line for tonight's massive Premiership showdown with Cliftonville at Solitude.
"It is a big, big game. Cliftonville and doing well and rightly so. They are second and playing some good football," he added.
"Any game we have had with them this season they have done well. I think they have beaten us home and away in the league so that proves how good they are.
"They also beat us 4-0 in the live Sky game, so we would like to put things right this time and try and get a result."
Meanwhile Cliftonville boss Eddie Patterson admits tonight's game couldn't be any bigger.
"It is a massive game for both teams. Linfield want to extend the gap at the top and we want to try and reduce it," he said.
"All the fixtures between the clubs this season have been close, apart from the 4-0 win we had at Solitude. But that was just one of those nights when everything went right for us.
"We have to be pleased with the way our season has gone, so we won't be getting too carried away with ourselves.
"Tuesday is massive so hopefully we can pick up a decent result to consolidate our position."
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
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