Rangers starlet Stephen Kelly said he was pleased with his performance in an U21 international for Scotland on Thursday but felt he tired in the closing stages due to a lack of playing time at Ibrox.
Kelly spent the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns out on loan at Ayr United and Ross County respectively, playing a total of 62 competitive matches.
This summer, though, Stephen Gerrard opted to keep him at Ibrox, possibly in part due to a shortage of options in the middle of the park during the opening weeks of the season.
The 21-year-old impressed when given opportunities in pre-season but has only seen 13 minutes of action since competitive fixtures began.
He played the full match as Scotland lost 1-0 to group favourites Denmark in a tight European U21 Championship Qualifier at Tynecastle on Thursday evening and felt his lack of club action ensured he wasn’t able to maintain his best level throughout the contest.
“Yeah, I enjoyed it and enjoyed getting on the ball,” replied Kelly after being asked for his thoughts on his own display [Scotland National Team Twitter]. “I probably tired a wee bit with the lack of minutes I’ve been having.”
“But I enjoyed it and I loved coming away and getting a game.”
It must be pretty frustrating for Kelly to be fit and training but not even making matchday squads for Premiership fixtures.
It makes these youth international fixtures even more important for his development and he should get another opportunity on Tuesday when Scot Gemmill’s side take on Kazakhstan in another Qualifier.
Kelly is under contract at Ibrox until the summer of 2023 and he could be sent out on loan in January for more regular playing opportunities.
One former Premiership manager is a big fan and is backing him to make it at Ibrox.
