Rangers to offer star a new deal amid transfer interest as home-grown talent ticks boxes for Ibrox longevity
The Scotland International has had a limited number of appearances in Govan since his arrival two years ago.
Liam Kelly is on the brink of signing a new deal at Rangers as his current contract nears its expiration.
The Light Blues stopper signed for the club for a second time in the summer of June 2024 on a two year deal. Before that, he was picked up by Rangers at the age of 10 and came up through the youth ranks, making his first professional appearance in 2015. In between his Ibrox spells, he featured for Livingston, Queens Park Rangers and Motherwell respectively.
The 30-year old has been a very capable backup goalkeeper to Jack Butland since his arrival and has featured for Rangers in cup competitions and in Europe. He has also kept his place in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad during this period and is in contention for a seat on the plane to America for this summer’s World Cup. Butland’s form has meant that Kelly’s minutes have been limited in the Rangers goal, leading to interest from clubs around Europe and the MLS, who could offer him more game time.
Kelly set for new Ibrox deal
According to the Daily Record: “Rangers are to offer Liam Kelly a new deal. The Ibrox side have indicated that they want to keep the Scotland keeper long-term. The 30-year old, who will join up with Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad, is out of contract in the summer. Kelly is now waiting for the Light Blues to table an offer.”
Having only three appearances this season for Rangers exclusively to cup competitions, Kelly will now have a decision on his hands whether he wants to remain second in the selection pecking order at Ibrox, or if somewhere were he’ll get more minutes would be more attractive.
Within the Rangers dressing room he is highly-rated by his peers and can now provide a bit of experience to any youngsters coming through the door. As an academy graduate himself he counts as a home-grown player, a useful for Danny Rohl to possess in terms of the European quota.
Barry Ferguson thought he might’ve leaked the news about Kelly’s new contract when on the Five Stars podcast, he asked, “I think Liam Kelly has extended already, hasn’t he?”. However this has now proven to be false as no official deal has been signed between player and club.
Who else is out of contract at Rangers in the summer?
Only John Souttar has signed a new deal this season of the players who are meant to be departing in the summer. The most notable potential Ibrox exit is captain James Tavernier, whose eleven year tenure at the club is set to be over in May.
Elsewhere, Rabbi Matondo’s Ibrox contract will run out in May as his four year stay in Govan comes to an end. The Welsh International remains one of the highest earners at the club despite only making a handful of appearances in the past couple of seasons. Elsewhere, Gers prospect Bailey Rice is also headed for the exit door alongside third choice keeper, Kieran Wright.
Rangers have six loan stars that will also be leaving the club at the end of the season, as Mikey Moore, Andreas Skov Olsen, Nasser Djiga, Max Aarons, Derek Cornelius and Jayden Meghoma all complete their short-term Ibrox deals.