Livingston’s Liam Kelly will take to the Toni Macaroni arena looking to impress Rangers as much as possible this afternoon.
That’s because the goalkeeper is still targeting a return to his boyhood club one day.
Yes, Rangers had Livingston’s number one on their books for 12 years, as he signed for the club when he was 10. He earned his first senior contract in 2015, and the Hummel Training Centre graduate had high hopes.
Unfortunately for the Livingston man, the quality of goalkeeper at the club meant chances were limited. A couple of loan spells at East Fife and Livingston respectively gave him a taste of first-team action. Evidently that was something he was wanting to experience more of at age 22. So much so that he ripped up his Rangers contract and went to the Toni Macaroni permanently in the summer.
Kelly, however, has his sights set on a return to Ibrox one day. Speaking ahead of Livi’s match against Gers this afternoon, Kelly talked about a potential Ibrox return and his reasons for leaving.
“Exactly why I left”
“This is exactly why I left; to play against teams as good as Rangers. If I ever want to play for Rangers, then I had to leave Rangers – if that makes sense to people.
“But with the goalkeepers at Rangers, the opportunities were never likely to come. I was there for 14 years – from when I was eight through to that summer there – but I knew I had to leave. I had a year left in my contract and I’m thankful the club let it happen.
“Everybody I spoke to all told me it was time to go. Guys like Wes Foderingham and [Rangers goalkeeping coach] Jim Stewart all agreed that it was time for me to go and play somewhere – I wouldn’t get that at Rangers. That isn’t a fault of anyone there, it’s just a case of: can they afford to throw a goalie who has only ever played for East Fife and Livingston straight into the Rangers first-team? I’m not sure.”
A sense of reality
Kelly deserves to be commended for his honesty. Many players when they don’t get the chance at their previous club argue that they should’ve done. Instead, the Livingston man realises the reality of the situation he was involved in.
Having him back at Ibrox isn’t even nearly impossible, however. Kelly is making terrific waves at Livingston, and has kept eight clean sheets heading into this afternoon’s contest. Another one for him today and he would be making some heads turn.
Unfortunately for Kelly, however, Allan McGregor is in scintillating form having just joined the club. So long as he’s at Ibrox, nobody will ever take his place in goal. McGregor has been like a fine wine that just gets better with age. and Rangers are thriving with him in goal.
Wes Foderingham continues to be at the club however as his understudy. There’s no reason why Kelly couldn’t be Rangers’ number two goalkeeper in the coming years if he continues his development. Foderingham can be a liability, but is still a strong number two. Nobody should underestimate just how well Kelly has been playing, however.
A move to Ibrox may look unlikely at the current moment. Kelly may not also want a return if number two is his role, especially cosidering he left because of a lack of game-time anyway.
Eyes should be on the youngster this afternoon, however. A good display against the Gers today, and that dream of a return to Ibrox will only be more realistic.
