Rangers are readying a potentially tricky trip to face Livingston this weekend and are likely to meet former midfielder Stephen Kelly at the Tony Macaroni.
The Gers have steadied under Michael Beale and will have the chance to exact some revenge on David Martindale’s side, who are currently 4th in the Scottish Premiership.
A 1-1 Ibrox draw with Livingston in the last meeting between the two clubs has proven a devastating result in the club’s title race, the two dropped points coming amid a run of seven in a month.
Rangers haven’t been able to claw back the nine-point difference against Celtic – yet – and Michael Beale has twelve wins in 13 since taking over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
At the heart of the Livingston midfield is Stephen Kelly, who has began to kickstart his career after a series of loan moves whilst at Rangers.
Once regarded one of the highest-rated talents in the Ibrox club’s Academy, things didn’t work out for Stephen Kelly after making his Rangers debut a Scottish League Cup win over Ayr United in September 2018.
After loan moves with Ayr United, Ross County and Salford City, things went stale for Kelly but he is now resurgent at Livingston.
Stephen Kelly finding feet at Livingston
Now 22-years-old, Kelly made the permanent switch to Livingston in the summer and the move looks a good one already after an impressive first full-season at the club.
In 16 Premiership appearances, Stephen Kelly has four goals, with that record of one in four from midfield an impressive one for the youngster.
Also adding three assists, it means that Stephen Kelly has been directly involved in more than a quarter of Livingston’s Premiership goals this season and is averaging a contribution of nearly one goal in every two games.
Whilst Rangers fans will be glad to see Stephen Kelly doing well at Livingston, they’ll be wary the midfielder will have a point to prove in what is a must-win clash this weekend.
Meanwhile, the return of Ianis Hagi is a welcome boost for Rangers.