Stephen Kelly says he’s looking to ‘bridge the gap’ to the Rangers first team next season following a successful loan stint with Ayr United, as quoted by Rangers.co.uk.
The young midfielder made his senior debut in the League Cup in September 2018 before going on to help the Reserves to the league title later that season.
In an attempt to further his development, he then joined the Honest Men on loan at the beginning of the 2019/20 campaign.
The Championship season was brought to an early end last month amid the global health crisis but not before Kelly got plenty of playing time under his belt.
He made 33 appearances in all competitions scoring six times and impressing firstly under the management of Ian McCall, and then under Mark Kerr.
Kelly is hoping that after strutting his stuff in the second tier, he could force his way into Steven Gerrard’s plans next season.
“I think it [2020/21] definitely is an important season for my future but I am excited to see what happens over the next number of months,” he said during an RYDC Q+A, as quoted by Rangers.co.uk.
“I have improved whilst I have been on loan so ideally, I hope that it will help bridge the gap to the first-team squad.”
Verdict
Kelly isn’t the most physically imposing player in the Gers’ youth ranks, but there’s little doubt he’s one of the most talented.
The 20-year-old held down a place in Ayr’s midfield throughout the season despite having next to no previous experience of senior football and he showed an ability to score from range on multiple occasions.
It’s a big ask to break through at Rangers right now, though, especially in the middle of the park.
Steven Gerrard currently has senior internationals such as Ryan Jack, Steven Davis, Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield to choose from in there and they will take some shifting.
