Motherwell goalie Liam Kelly's eyeing three points against old club Rangers

Motherwell’s new goalkeeper Liam Kelly is relishing the prospect of taking on runaway league leaders Rangers in this Sunday’s Scottish Premiership encounter at Fir Park.
New keeper Liam Kelly made a solid debut for Motherwell at St Mirren on Saturday (Pic by Ian McFadyen)New keeper Liam Kelly made a solid debut for Motherwell at St Mirren on Saturday (Pic by Ian McFadyen)
New keeper Liam Kelly made a solid debut for Motherwell at St Mirren on Saturday (Pic by Ian McFadyen)

Ex-Livingston ace Kelly (24) - who has joined ’Well on loan from Queen’s Park Rangers until the end of the season - was speaking after impressing on his debut in Saturday’s 1-1 league draw at St Mirren which lifted ’Well up to 10th.

He told the Times and Speaker: “Rangers is a tough game, the toughest game. They’re a good bit clear and I know a lot of the boys there.

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“Fourteen years I was there so I know a lot of the faces, a lot of good people there.

“I’m delighted to see them all doing so well but ultimately we want to win the game next week.

“It’s going to be really difficult but we’ll try our best and hopefully get the right result.

“They’re flying, with so many international players and it will be really good to test ourselves against them.

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“If we can take something out the game that would be a bonus.

“The manager (Motherwell’s new gaffer Graham Alexander) is really trying to implement his ideas as well which is good.

“Obviously I was only in two days in front of him. Whatever he’s asking is fresh for me as well.

“I’ve been really impressed and hopefully we can do well under him and get the club back up the table.

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“It’s not right when you look at the table and you see Motherwell that far down."

Kelly, who hasn’t played for QPR since the end of last season, is relishing getting going at ’Well.

He said: “I love it, I love playing games. In terms of it being a springboard for my career, honestly I’ll just be going into training trying to do my best, trying to play on a Saturday my best and whatever is going to be is going to be.”

’Well might have marked Kelly’s debut with a win against Saints had referee Bobby Madden not controversially given the hosts a late penalty when Lee Erwin went down in the box before Jamie McGrath netted to cancel out Devante Cole’s opener.

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“To be honest with you I heard a really poud whack,” Kelly said.

“So that’s never a good sign is it? At the time, when I heard the noise I thought: ‘Please don’t give it’.

“And unfortunately he did.

“I said to Bobby I wasn’t sure. He said no he was definitely sure.

“If he’s seen something and he’s sure then you need to trust his judgement.”

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Despite his frustration at the penalty award, Kelly reckoned a draw was a fair result.

He said: “I thought we were probably stronger team first half, a few good chances.

“St Mirren came into the game in the second half. We kind of dropped off a wee bit, maybe got a wee bit too deep and eventually they got their penalty.

“It was quite a good game, quite an open game with two good teams trying to win it so I enjoyed it.

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“The penalty was the first time I dived. Back four were doing really well, the three in front and the three up front were really working their socks off.

“But we just tired a wee bit. It was hard to keep up that pressure and I don’t think it’s a bad start.”

Kelly stressed that St Mirren had been in really good form ander their manager Jim Goodwin and they had periods of pressure too on Saturday.

“I don’t think it was really a smash and grab point (by St Mirren),” he added.

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“I felt as though they maybe had a wee bit of pressure in the second half.

“They’re a good team, they’ve got a lot of good players.

“A lot of our boys were just coming back. Big Bevis I thought was unbelievable at centre back for us.

“I thought Jake Carroll played really well at left back.

“Obviously I know Dec (Gallagher) really well from Livingston.

“There’s so much to build on, a lot of energy in midfield.

“I thought we were always in the game middle to front as well.

“I’m disappointed we couldn’t get the three points but it is what it is.”

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