Rangers may well rue letting Stephen Kelly go as Livingston manager Davie Martindale tips the midfielder to go up a level.
The former Gers star signed a permanent deal with the Lions in the summer and has emerged as a key player in their team.
Davie Martindale isn’t expecting Livingston midfielder Stephen Kelly to stop there as he tips the kid to go to the next level in the next few seasons.
Now 23-years-old, there was a time when the youngster was tipped for the very top at Rangers and was even highly rated by Steven Gerrard.
But it’s at Livingston where the kid has finally begun to make his mark with Davie Martindale claiming Stephen Kelly has found a home in West Lothian.
Stephen Kelly tipped for bigger than Livingston
“Stephen’s form has been extremely pleasing,” said Martindale.
“I said to him when he came in I thought it was important he found a home to play football.
“He had been at Rangers but he had been on loan. He has a home here.
“The chance came up and it was too good an opportunity to miss.
“I am surprised we got him as he had options. It is credit to him and his agent at the time as they pushed him to come here.
“He knew our background and our progression with players and he understood what went on here.
“I have high hopes for him and I class him as a senior player in the group.
“He is still a young player but he has played a lot of football at a good level. I am looking forward to seeing his development and he will be a big player next season.
“He won’t be with us forever but we want to turn him into an asset as I believe he can play at a higher level.”
What level that is specifically time will tell and should Stephen Kelly go on to greater things after Livingston perhaps Rangers will rue letting him go.
In total Stephen Kelly has made 28 appearances for Livingston this season, scoring six goals.
