In news no Livingston fan wanted to hear, goalkeeper Liam Kelly will leave the club this summer. The Livi number one has activated a release clause that allows him to speak to other clubs.
This news comes after the Daily Record reported that English Championship side QPR are interested in him.
Kelly is on the move. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
He’s been brilliant this season. Kelly will be a massive loss for Gary Holt’s side next term.
Some Livi fans have reacted with sadness to the news, but are hoping he succeeds at his new club.
Absolutely gutted about this! Brilliant keeper and he’s been simply outstanding this season hence why he’s been called up for Scotland. It’s a good opportunity to test himself at a higher level which you can’t deny him. Good luck @liamm_kelly 💛🖤💛
— Euan Rankine (@EuanRankine) June 4, 2019
Had a feeling it was coming when the likes of QPR want you good luck @liamm_kelly been a superb signing!
— Douglas (Statman Doug)🏴 (@Enrohd_1992) June 4, 2019
Gutted. All the best @liamm_kelly – thanks for all you’ve done for us 🦁💛🖤
— John Flannelly (@JohnFlannelly) June 4, 2019
Am livid
— Lewis Critchley (@LewisCritchley1) June 4, 2019
Very saddened by this but that's how life is as a lower level Premiership side. Hope Liam fulfills his massive potential wherever he ends up. Best of luck to the lad, and thanks 👍
— Alasdair MacNeill 🏴🎗🇪🇺 (@DarwinEsq) June 4, 2019
All the best Liam, great couple of seasons with Livi
— Capo Cullen (@Cullen2110) June 4, 2019
Kelly leaves Livingston without another vital player
According to his current club, Kelly is the subject of interest from ‘a few teams from the English Championship’. This indicates it’ll be south of the border the Livingston stopper heads.
QPR are the only named Championship side with reported interest in him so far. With Joe Lumley their current number one, and a decent one at that, Kelly would have a fight on his hands to claim the starting berth.
Lumley is QPR’s number one. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)
Livi back-up Ross Stewart has one hell of a job on his hands if he wants to emulate the seemingly Championship-bound Scotsman. Kelly kept 14 clean sheets over 32 games and only conceded an average of 1.06 goals for every 90 minutes he was on the park.
He’ll be a great pickup for whoever he ends up at, but Holt’s nightmare start to the Summer just got worse. He’s already lost Craig Halkett and Declan Gallagher. Keeping Kelly was always going to be a challenge, but that won’t soften the blow now he looks set to depart West Lothian.
Livi will need to rebuild if they want to survive next year. You can’t write them off after last season. However, losing arguably their best three players for buttons is bound to cause damage.
Kelly and co are hard to replace. (photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Kelly has been a great servant to Livingston. He’ll go with the best wishes of everyone associated with the club, as they turn their attention to finding his successor.