Glenn Murray can silence his critics by scoring goals for Albion.

That is the message from Gary O'Reilly, who also crossed the divide between the Seagulls and traditional rivals Crystal Palace.

O'Reilly received abuse from a fan riled by the Palace connection when he returned but believes Murray can swiftly quash any doubters by repeating the The Argus: free-scoring form of his first stint.

Murray (above) is back with Albion on loan from Bournemouth for the season, five years after the centre-forward signed for Palace.

His goals fired Gus Poyet's side into the Championship but the manager let him go to Selhurst Park on a free transfer.

O'Reilly made the same move in 1987, then rejoined Albion four years later.

The central defender's first spell, from Spurs, lasted two-and-a-half seasons before he was sold to Palace at the end of Alan Mullery's ill-fated second stint in charge.

The deal did not save Albion legend Mullery's job but it helped saved the cash-strapped club.

O'Reilly told The Argus: "Alan pulled me in and sat me down. He said 'I'll be straight with you', typical Mullers. 'The club need £45,000 this month to pay the wages and you are the only player we have got an offer on'.

"Then Alan told me to have a chat with them (Palace) and said if I didn't like what I heard or saw we will find a way. I think Alan was being straight but there was an underlying message in there.

"I went and had a chat with Steve Coppell and it was okay. Me leaving put the club in a position where they could at least survive. Players and staff having their wages paid, that's families, not just a couple of players that might miss out.

"So there was a beneficial effect for me to up sticks and go up the A23.

"I scored my first ever League goal for Brighton against Palace at the Goldstone.

"The rivalry was there. As the game came nearer and nearer I was used to it, coming out of North London and being involved in London derbies.

"You picked up on not the tension, not anxiety, but an upping in the intensity. That comes from fans and because you are in Brighton and Hove, a small community, so everybody bumps into everybody.

"That sort of beehive transmission takes place and you pick that up very quickly."

O'Reilly (below) had first hand experience of the Palace rivalry once he was re-signed by Barry Lloyd in 1991.

The Argus: "I had one adverse reaction during a game at the Goldstone. A fan started off abusing me and there was a Palace reference. I'd been around long enough. I was 30 plus by this time and that didn't bother me, I brushed it off.

"But then it turned into abuse of my family. I stepped on to the red track to the side of the goal. You had grilled fencing then and I thought about walking into the north stand.

"Then I caught a police officer out of the corner of my eye and explained he'd better do his job, turned around and went back onto the pitch.

"That was the only time ever. You can have a problem with me playing for another team if you want, I would look at that as your problem, not mine."

Feelings run as high now with some Albion supporters about the Palace rivalry as they did back then. The vast majority have welcomed Murray's return but a vocal minority have made their feelings known on social media.

Hove-based O'Reilly, 55, now a freelance TV and radio presenter and co-commentator, said: "I would respect their opinion, I would hope they didn't make it personal. Glenn will find himself in a similar position to myself in terms of state of mind.

"This club (Albion), wanted me, this club (Bournemouth) were prepared to let me go, albeit on loan. I'm wanted.

"Don't think for one second the manager and the hierarchy are unaware of bringing Glenn Murray back as a former Palace player having been a Brighton player.

"That shows the desire to have him back at the club, which is a positive in terms of the way Glenn feels.

"If you are given an environment where you feel good, welcomed, supported, then I think you will give your best. That ultimately is what players should be judged on.

"What you are always reminded of is the name on the badge is more important than the name on the back. I understand fans' passion and what it means to them.

"I was once a football fan before I became a player. You retain that element but only after you have finished playing. You can't really have that as a player.

"You have to be focused on the team you are playing for and giving everything you have. That is where Glenn will hopefully feel he is judged.

"If he starts putting the ball in the back of the net he could have played for anybody, I'm sure, and the fans' memory will dissolve very quickly. That's a striker's life. He will be judged on the amount of goals he scores.

"I wish him well. Chris (Hughton) will have done his homework. So much is analysed now statistically, an avalanche of data, so if Glenn's numbers didn't add up they wouldn't have brought him back."