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Liam Kelly was delighted to return to Rangers this summer and says the lessons he learned at the Academy prepared him perfectly for life as a professional footballer.
The 28-year old goalkeeper, who was proud to be part of Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad in the summer, joined the Light Blues aged 8 and progressed impressively through the youth ranks.
He excelled in Glasgow Cup and Youth Cup Finals, enjoyed positive loan spells with East Fife and Livingston and was knocking on the door of first-team football with Rangers.
However, displaying the ambition and single-mindedness needed to succeed in football the decision was taken to move on and seek a regular place between the sticks.
He rejoined Livi on a permanent deal in 2018 before moving to QPR and then a return to top flight Scottish football with Motherwell.
Such was his influence in the dressing room, Liam was given the captaincy during his spell at Fir Park and his form earned him his first international cap against France.
He admits he never thought the chance of coming back to the Light Blues would ever materialise but he is thrilled to be here and is ready to provide top-class cover for Jack Butland when required.
Reflecting on his return to the club as he showed his support for The Rangers Youth Development Company – who have donated more than £11 million to the Rangers Academy to date – Kelly said: “I am over the moon to be back.
“It was a surprise but it was made clear to me that the club wanted me to come back so I am delighted.
“I was captain and playing every week with Motherwell and I know it will be tough to do that here but I am excited to return.
“I have played over 300 professional games now and although Jack will get the nod I am just one person away from playing in big European ties and Old Firm games and it was just an opportunity I couldn’t say no to.
“Anyone with a footballing brain can understand that, I can see how close I am to being the goalkeeper for Rangers.
“If Jack wakes up on a matchday and feels unwell I will be in and I’ve worked tirelessly my whole life to give myself the opportunity to try and be in the Rangers first team.
“So when the chance came around again I wasn’t going to say no.
“I had a year on my contract when I left Rangers and it was a transition period before Steven Gerrard became the manager.
“I spoke to the senior goalkeepers and Colin Stewart, who was also here at the time, and we all agreed I was ready to go and play.
“I am glad I did leave to get games and I had a really successful season at Livingston.
“I went to QPR after that then I was back up to Motherwell so I had a lot of different experiences.
“I’ve also been in the Scotland squad for over 3 and a half years and I’m just back from Euro 2024.
“I’ve had a lot of good experiences since I’ve been away but I’m delighted to be back now.
“Going to Germany in the summer with Scotland was an unbelievable experience and I was grateful to be selected to go.
“I won my first cap against France away in a friendly and they had a full team out.
“They had Mbappe, Dembele, Griezmann, Giroud and a strong team playing so that was some experience.
“Playing in these types of games have made me a much better goalkeeper and it has been brilliant to return here.
“We are working hard to improve and the manager likes the fact he can trust me if anything happens to Jack.
“He knows there won’t be any drama with me. I know the club and I know there is a massive demand on us to win.
“It was the same when I was coming through the different age groups at the Academy. Nothing other than a victory was accepted.
“It was a move that made sense for everybody and we have a tight goalkeeping group.
“Colin (Stewart) has been here a long time and has had a lot of successful seasons with different goalkeepers like Wes Foderingham, Greegsy, Jack Butland, Jon McLaughlin and Robby McCrorie.
“I first joined Rangers when I was 8. My older brother was 11 at the time and I had a good game in a match we were playing in – which was three years above my age group.
“A Rangers scout (Bobby Dinnie) saw me and asked me to come to the club and see how I got on.
“That was in 2004 and I look back on my first spell here really positively.
“I remember being on the bench at 14 for the 17s when we beat Celtic in the Glasgow Cup Final and I got a medal, which I was happy with.
“We beat Celtic in the Glasgow Cup at Ibrox on penalties when I was 16 and we beat them at Firhill with the 17s.
“The following year, we won the Youth Cup against a really strong Hearts team and I saved four penalties and scored one so I won what I had to at youth level.
“I also played in pre-season in America, played in the Hong Kong 7s and some big behind closed doors games so I was involved.
“I have seen it all and been through it all with the Academy.
“Those experiences made me the person I am today.
“I also had really good coaches – Colin’s dad Jim was brilliant with me and I had Jimmy Sinclair, Billy Kirkwood and Tommy Wilson. They were old school and brought me up really well.
“They made me strong mentally and resilient and that helped me in my career.
“I am so thankful and grateful to have had 14 years as at the Academy.
“I’m 28 so literally half of my life has been spent here.
“I didn’t ever think I would be back but I am here to perform a role having gained the experiences I have.
“I had a great time at Motherwell and was captain for a long time. Hopefully the things I learned there can benefit the group here.
“The players all want to play well for Rangers and go as high as they can in their careers so hopefully I can be a good person about the group.
“I played 134 games in a row in the league but I am so proud to be back here.
“We have some good young goalies here and Colin has done so well with them.
“I want to help them and support them and I just want to be part of a really good group with good values, good morals and create a strong culture to help take us to the top of the league.
“Fans always like to see Academy players breaking through to the Rangers first-team and we have had some big, big players and big names down the years.
“I have been really impressed with the young players who have trained with the first-team since I came back and the manager has given them an opportunity.
“But they have only been given that opportunity because they are good enough.
“The Academy staff are doing a lot of good work to prepare these players for the first-team sessions and they have held their own.
“Nothing makes me happier because I have been a young player here desperate for an opportunity, so to see them getting the chance is brilliant.
“A lot of ex-players are at the Academy – guys like Steven Smith and Jonatan Johansson – and in the past people like Kevin Thomson, Peter Lovenkrands and Graeme Smith and I think that is important.
“They have experienced everything in the game and can pass on that knowledge.
“They instil good values and good morals into the young players and prepare them for the real world of the first-team.
“They are taught to be good people and even if they don’t make it at Rangers they can go on to have good careers.
“Success isn’t just determined on what you do in football.
“I know loads of guys I played with who have lovely families and are happy with their jobs, it is determined by how content you are with your life.
“I look back on my first spell at Rangers positively and I was developed with support from RYDC.
“They have given more than £11 million to the Academy and, having been there as a youth player, I don’t think we could function the way we do without it.
“We were given a lot of privileges and support off the pitch that helped us massively on the pitch.
“When we are best prepared and are successful in youth games that creates the winning mentality you want as a Rangers player
“RYDC has a huge impact on the Academy and the club.
“It is massive and you might not see it directly but the older you get as a player you really start to recognise that.
“Every penny of RYDC profit is donated to the Academy and we thank them and the fans for the incredible support.”
Profit from RYDC products Rangers Lotto, Stadium Bricks, Scratchcards and The Union Jackpot draw all go to the Academy to help produce players like Liam, while profit from Museum Lotto is donated to the club for the
upkeep and maintenance of the museum.
CLICK HERE to play Rangers Lotto
CLICK HERE to play The Union Jackpot
CLICK HERE to buy Rangers Bricks
CLICK HERE to buy Rangers Scratchcards
CLICK HERE to play Museum Lotto
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