Rangers starlet Stephen Kelly has been tipped to make it at Ibrox by former Ross County boss John Hughes.
Hughes was in charge of the Staggies for half of last season when Kelly was on loan in Dingwall.
The 21-year-old midfielder made 29 appearances in all competitions, adding to the experience he gained whilst on loan at second-tier outfit Ayr United in the previous campaign.
He then returned to Rangers and featured in pre-season.
Rather than sending him out on loan again in August, Steven Gerrard opted to keep the Academy graduate with the first-team squad.
Some supporters have since expressed their frustration that he’s barely featured since competitive action began but Hughes is delighted that the Scotland youth international is getting the chance to show what he can do at Auchenhowie and is tipping him to eventually make it at Ibrox.
“That’s what will make Stephen the best,” he said [Football Scotland]. “He needs to be amongst it, playing against them (first-team stars), falling out with these guys, getting stuck in. Not standing back in admiration. If he does that he’ll be a better player for it.”
“He’ll hold his own, he’s technically very, very good.
“Working under Steven Gerrard and the demands, I can say right now, Rangers will train harder ahead of games on a Saturday. The demands will be there for the standards and he’ll either sink or swim.
“I think he’s a swimmer.”
Hughes backs Rangers starlet Kelly to make it at Ibrox
Hughes has been around Scottish football for a long time and knows a player when he sees one.
Kelly has just three Rangers appearances to his name, two of which have come this season, and at 21, he’s no longer a genuine youngster.
However, he has the security of being under contract until the end of next season and if he bides his time, opportunities could come his way relatively soon.
Steven Davis and Scott Arfield are both out of contract in the summer, while Ryan Jack’s injury history is an ongoing concern and the likes of Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara are sure to attract interest in coming windows.
In other news, a major Rangers boost appears to be edging nearer after an exciting Auchenhowie image emerged.
