Murphy said: "For Stevie to get into the top three when we haven't been in the Champions League is a tremendous achievement.
"With all due respect to Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard, they've had the exposure of that competition and they've also been helped by the fact they've been playing in teams which have been flying for most of the season.
"For Stevie, it's been more a case of showing his strength as a player in adversity. He's reached another footballing plain this year and I'm not sure what more he can do to improve as a player now.
"He's got energy, he passes, creates, tackles and he's now scoring a few more goals. He's a great player to have in any side. I just hope we get into the Champions League for his sake because no player deserves it more than him."