Very few Rangers players impressed in pre-season, mainly due to an inconsistency in selection and several key players either isolating, on the treatment table or still on holiday after the European Championships but there was one who took the most of his opportunity and looked as though 2021/22 was going to be his breakthrough season.
Stephen Kelly – branded a “baller” by James Tavernier – has done everything right on his two loan spells at Ayr United and Ross County, he also couldn’t have done anymore during his game time in pre-season, showing traits similar to that of Steven Davis – calm in possession, always available and always looking to play the ball forwards.
For reasons only known to Steven Gerrard he has hardly kicked a ball competitively for Rangers, playing more minutes for the Scotland Under-21’s which is where he has impressed potential suitors with a report in The Daily Record claiming that he is a target for several clubs in England and Scotland.
Sometimes, there can be a rush to get academy players either into the first-team or booted out the door, but youth development shouldn’t be judged on the likes of Allan McGregor or Barry Ferguson, these players don’t come along very often.
If Steven Davis retires in the summer or doesn’t have his contract extended, could we trust Kelly to come in and do a job when he is needed? Absolutely. Look at Nathan Patterson, the deep end can be where these youngsters rise to the challenge the most.
I’m not suggesting that Kelly should go straight into being expected to play 50-60 games a season but as one of the six options there is no reason why he shouldn’t be given more of a chance, with a new manager in charge, he might well get his chance.