He’s emerged as a key player for Motherwell in recent weeks – and Liam Kelly insists he’d be happy to continue such form into next season if QPR allow it.
The goalkeeper arrived on loan from QPR early in the winter transfer window and has been immense for ‘Well manager Graham Alexander. He’s played every game since switching London for Fir Park, making a string of extraordinary saves. His latest was a point-blank dive to his left to deny Matej Poplatnik in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Livingston.
Enjoying his Motherwell loan. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
Kelly moved to QPR in 2019 after great form at Livingston earned him a Scotland call-up. But he insists improvement has beckoned for him at the Loftus Road side too, where he has played 22 times.
Alexander’s number is the most vocal man on the park, explaining: “I’ve improved by being down south, in terms of my game management and I’m more relaxed. Nothing is that much of a drama, I’m more chilled out.
“As much as I talk all the time I don’t talk for the sake of it. I’ve always been vocal and spoke a lot, maybe when I was younger I spoke a lot of rubbish for the sake of it now I just speak to help the players get into the best position.”
Always talking (Photo by Ian Randall/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
He’s happy to talk about returning to Motherwell after his loan expires too, but is aware he needs to see what QPR think of that: “All I know is I want to be playing. I love it here at Motherwell. A move back to Motherwell is something I wouldn’t say no to.
“I’ve still got two and a half years left [on his contract at QPR], so the power is not in my hands but I’ll be pushing to play. I’m their player, but I’m loving my time at Motherwell. Don’t get me wrong, first and foremost I’m a QPR player and I need to respect that.
“Whatever they say will probably go, but If I’m not going to be playing at QPR, I’ll try to go somewhere and wouldn’t say no to Motherwell. I’m from Renfrew so I’m not far away, this is home for me. I’m loving it and it couldn’t be better at the moment.”
Feeling at home. (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)
Motherwell moved nine points clear of the relegation zone with the win over Kelly’s former side, and while a top six place is now out of reach in this season’s Scottish Premiership, the goalkeeper is still looking up.
He said: “We can’t get top six now, it’s important for our own pride and the rest of the season that we perform. We’ve got a lot of fans watching us so everyone has something to play for. When we play Kilmarnock in a few weeks they’ll be fighting for their lives.”
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