Josh Murphy would ‘love to stay’ with Oxford United

The 29-year-old winger is out of contract this summer, but has played a significant role in helping the U’s clinch a Sky Bet League One play-off place.

Murphy won the penalty which Cameron Brannagan converted to put United 2-0 in front at Exeter City this afternoon, and after the game, was asked about his future.

He said: “I’m just taking it game by game. We’ve got another two big games. I don’t want to think about the future, I want to think about the next couple of games.

“They’re massive games, and I want to get this club promoted, so that’s where my head is at, at the moment.

“I’d love to stay. I think everyone can see I’m very settled here. I love the boys and it’s a great bunch of lads here.

“We’re very close together here, so obviously I want to stay. We just need to get everything over the line.”

On the U’s earning a top six spot, Murphy said: “We’re all buzzing. It was a good, hard-fought victory today. Results went our way as well, but we knew if we took care of business our end, then we were always going to have a chance.

“It was about focusing on what we do, and leaving everything else up to fate. Everything went our way, so we’re happy. We’ve got two big games coming up.

“Football is full of ups and downs, and highs and lows. This is the game we all love to play and watch.

“The emotions of today will live long with the fans, and now we want to take it one step further.”

Discussing his own individual display, which saw him pose a threat down the left-hand side, and win a penalty following a foul by Grecians defender Will Aimson, Murphy said: “I was a bit flat in the first half. I won a couple of free kicks, but I couldn’t really get the better of the defender.

“It only takes one moment though, and I got the better of him, and got the penalty, and that put us 2-0 up. It was a goal that ultimately secured us the play-offs.

“I’m just going to try and keep getting as many goal contributions as I can because it helps the team.”