Livingston manager David Martindale thinks Motherwell star Liam Kelly could be number 1 for Rangers or Celtic as he admitted he’s gutted the Scotland squad keeper isn’t still at Livingston.
Martindale worked with Kelly during his time at the Tony Macaroni before Kelly was lured down south and a reunion with former Ibrox boss Mark Warburton at QPR.
With Kelly set to come up against Martindale’s Livingston this afternoon in the final round of games before the winter break, he joked he hopes the keeper has an “absolute shocker” today.
“I’ve no doubt he could get back down the road if he sees that as the next step in his career,” Martindale said.
“Could he go on and play for Celtic or Rangers? I believe he could.
“I’m glad to see Liam playing every week, I’m gutted it’s not at Livingston.
“We’ve kept in touch, he’s someone I consider a good friend. He’s a top, top keeper. He’s doing a fantastic job there. But I hope he has an absolute shocker against us. And I’ll tell him that when I see him!”
Kelly in line for Scotland glove fight
With his form at Motherwell rightly earning him a return to the Scotland fold, Martindale expects Kelly to fight with St Johnstone’s Zander Clark to be Scotland number 1 in the future.
Graig Gordon is the undisputed first-pick keeper for Steve Clarke just now but Martindale thinks it is only a matter of time before Kelly is in the conversation – admitting it was “fantastic” to see him back in the international fold, adding: “Right now we’ve Craig Gordon and Jon McLaughlin, who’s a little younger than Craig. Then you’ve Zander and Liam, two fantastic keepers who I expect to fight it out to be Scotland’s No.1 in the future.
“Liam got himself right back in the Scotland conversation, which is fantastic for him.”
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