Star’s former manager suggests ‘there is no way’ he joins Rangers this summer

Star’s former manager suggests ‘there is no way’ he joins Rangers this summer

They say ‘never go back’. And, as suggestions continue to circulate that a former Rangers player may return to Ibrox during the summer transfer window, his former manager undoubtedly believes this. That is, if the 28-year-old will not play a regular first-team role under Philippe Clement.

Aside from the Scottish Cup final gaffe, which saw Player of the Year Jack Butland prove his own mortality at the worst possible time when Adam Idah pounced with 90 minutes on the clock, Rangers’ number one has been exceptional between the sticks in 2023/24. If Butland stays put, as the former England international hinted in April, how would Liam Kelly feel about returning to the blue side of Glasgow before resuming his place on the Ibrox bench? According to a man who knows the soon-to-be free agent shot-stopper better than most, talks with the Rangers will be short-lived if Kelly discovers he will be relegated to a benchwarming job on the blue side of the city.

Rangers are in talks to sign Liam Kelly after he left Motherwell. “There’s no way Kells would go there accepting that he’s number two,” Graham Alexander, who coached Motherwell in 2021-22, told the Scottish Sun. “He won’t be content to play second fiddle. “That is not his nature.” Stuart Kettlewell, Alexander’s replacement at Firhill, said on Friday that Scotland international Kelly would leave the club he captained last season. Negotiations are apparently beginning with Rangers, according to Sky Sports. The 28-year-old may feel he has unfinished business at a club where he began his career but did not make a professional appearance before moving for Livingston.

Rangers sign him, they’ll have a real competitor on their hands,” Alexander adds. “And that can only be good for the squad and the number one at the time.

“I’m not surprised that big clubs want to sign him. He’s a superb goalkeeper. Whatever he chooses, he’ll give it his best shot. And, in his mind, he’ll see himself as competing for the number one job.”

Kelly, a leader and a fierce competitor, featured in over 130 successive Scottish Premiership games at Motherwell. Life as a back-up, then, would certainly take some getting used to. But if Butland does depart – and that cannot be entirely ruled out amid interest from below the border – Rangers would have a fine replacement on their hands.

Jack Butland future uncertain at Ibrox
“He’s a brilliant character who drives standards, gives other confidence and is a great, supporting team-mate. He works extremely hard at his game. He’s a terrific pro,” adds the now-Bradford manager.

He was a huge help to us at Motherwell. He was one of our most trusted lieutenants at the club. I had a fantastic time working with him; he’s a lovely guy. “He is extremely determined to win and play well. I don’t believe that would alter wherever he went.” Kelly’s anticipated comeback could allow Robby McCrorie to depart. McCrorie has expressed a wish for more consistent minutes, having rarely kicked a ball since Butland’s arrival in 2023.

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