[3] He spent his first season out on loan at Kilsyth Rangers (who had also shown an interest in signing him)[4] and whilst on assignment was selected for the Scotland Junior international team for a match against Wales in 1968, scoring a penalty.
[6] Although some of his contemporaries such as Kenny Dalglish, Davie Hay and Danny McGrain became star players, Murdoch never made a first-team appearance - Celtic were not only dominant in Scotland but one of the best sides in Europe during that period and he was in competition for a place with various Scottish internationals and European Cup winners, including his brother.
After two years of part-time training and infrequent reserve matches while also learning a trade as a glazier, Murdoch left Celtic at his own request in 1970 and signed for Bristol City.
[4] After a short spell in England Murdoch was homesick and returned to his home country to play with semi-professional Stenhousemuir,[7] with manager Alex Smith having been alerted to his availability due to a mutual connection with a glazing company.
[12] A third Murdoch brother, James aka Jimmy, was also on Celtic's books as a youth (signed from Glasgow Amateurs) before moving to Cardiff City, and also played for Cumbernauld.