Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce Has ruled out a loan move for Rangers target Jacob Murphy.

The winger has been linked with a switch to Ibrox, while Sheffield Wednesday are keen on taking him back to Hillsborough after his loan spell last campaign.

The 25-year-old impressed for the Magpies in their 7-0 rout of Morecambe on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup, scoring just his second goal for his boyhood club.

Jacob Murphy has been linked with a move to Rangers. Picture: Getty

After the match, Bruce enthused about Murphy’s display and attitude as he revealed the winger is set to stay at Newcastle for the coming season.

“I won’t be letting him out on loan, not after a performance like that,” he told The Scotsman’s sister title the Shields Gazette. “He deserves to stay with us.

"He’s improved enormously. I’ve been very, very pleased, even though he hasn’t made the squad for the weekend. We’ve got 20-odd players to choose from. But, at this particular moment, I won’t be letting Jacob go out.

Bruce added: “He’s had a really good pre-season. He showed a great attitude towards it. I think you’ve also witnessed he’s benefitted obviously from being out on loan. He had a really good loan at Sheffield Wednesday, where they speak highly of him.

"He’s a good young player who’s direct and quick and he’s grasped his chance. Arguably, he’s our best player tonight. Fair play to him.”

Arrival of Scotland international

Murphy arrived at Newcastle United in the summer of 2017 from Norwich City for a reported fee of £10million.

However, it is a move which has not yet worked out for the former England U21 international. He made 41 appearances across the first 18 months before being loaned out to West Brom in the Championship.

Murphy then spent last season with Sheffield Wednesday, netting nine goals in 44 appearances in all competitions.

It was thought that with the arrival of Scotland international Ryan Fraser on a free contract that he would be shipped out on loan again with plenty of competition in wide areas.

Wednesday were keen to bring him back to Hillsborough, while earlier this month the Herald reported the player was keen on a switch to Ibrox.

Rangers are set for a crucial Europa League clash this evening against Dutch side Willem II in the Netherlands.

Manager Steven Gerrard, who has been hit with a notice of complaint from the Scottish FA for comments regarding a challenge on Alfredo Morelos, believes a fear of being shown up at European level drives his players on.

He said: “I have to give credit to players on this one. Every challenge we have faced under pressure in Europe, home or away, the players seem to bring a laser-focus to these game.”

“There is almost a touch of fear about them, in that they know what they have to give and bring to the table. Because with some of the teams we have faced, if you don’t bring that A game there is a real chance of being embarrassed at this level.”

Rangers: What Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce had to say on future of £10m Ibrox target