Highly rated Rangers youngster Stephen Kelly is impressing on loan at Ross County, but he knows the scale of task ahead of him to feature in Steven Gerrard’s plans next season.
Kelly was speaking to the Glasgow Evening Times on what he feels has been invaluable experience with the Highland club, as he strives to shine with John Hughes’ side.
The progress and promotion of Nathan Patterson will provide encouragement to the likes of Kelly and he is well aware that he needs to perform against other Premiership clubs to stand any chance of featuring on his return to Ibrox.
“It has been good, but it was obviously frustrating at the start when I didn’t get as much game time,” he stated.
“Since I have come into the team I have managed to do as well as I can and got a number of starts as well. I have enjoyed it.”
“It was obviously a big difference (compared to Rangers). When I came up, I performed well in the training games and the friendlies and to not get into the team at the start was a bit of a surprise. I just had to deal with that and get on with it.”
The 20 year old has made 16 appearances with two assists so far for County.
“This season I have gone up a level but we have been on the back foot a lot. It has been different in that sense but in a lot of the games there is not much in them. It is just good to get up to the pace and then trying to build on that,” said Kelly.
“For me personally, if I can show that I can play in the league and against the best teams, like playing against Celtic, Aberdeen and Hibs, that is good.”
“But there are no easy games in this league so I think it is just about trying to find consistency and that will help me in the long run.”
Listening to Stephen Kelly reflecting on the season so far and his outlook going forward is evidence of a level-headed player with ambition who knows what he needs to do.
Whether or not he can bridge that gap remains to be seen but the hard-working midfielder won’t be found wanting.