Livingston boss David Martindale believes Motherwell have signed Scotland’s future no.1 after agreeing a permanent deal for Liam Kelly.
The Lions gaffer says he would have been delighted to have brought Kelly back to the club, but they simply couldn’t compete with Motherwell’s offer.
The 25-year-old won the League One title with the Lions on loan from Rangers in 2016/17 before returning on a permanent deal two years later.
His second stint in West Lothian lasted only a season after a string of impressive displays in the Premiership earned him a Scotland call-up and a move to English Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
It didn’t quite work out for the stopper, who was loaned to Motherwell in the winter transfer window last season before making the switch to Fir Park a permanent one earlier this month.
Livi had a sell-on clause as part of the keeper’s move to London, but Martindale expects their fee to be small.
Speaking to the West Lothian Courier, he commented: “We have a sell-on so I’ll need to find out what that is and how much, but I don’t think it will be that much.
“I speak to Liam pretty much on a weekly basis and have done since he left the club. I’d have loved to have brought him back to Livingston but unfortunately finances dictate things.
“Motherwell’s offer was miles away from what we could do. I think he’s a fantastic signing for them and I expect him to cement his place in the Scotland squad within the next 12 months or so.
“I really to genuinely believe that we’ll see Liam Kelly being a Scotland number one if he comes up here and applies himself in the way that I know he can.
“He’s got the ability, he’s got the determination. He’s got every characteristic you could ask for.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing him perform and I genuinely do believe we’ll see him in a Scotland jersey in the near future.”
The gaffer admits he was surprised Kelly wasn’t able to cement a starting role with the Championship club, but says talk of the keeper being part of the Scotland set-up shows there’s a pathway from the Tony Macaroni Arena to the national team.
Lyndon Dykes and Declan Gallagher were both part of the Scotland squad for the Euros after plying their trade in West Lothian, while keeper Robby McCrorie received a maiden call-up during his loan spell with the club last term.
Martindale said: “I’m actually quite surprised the move to QPR didn’t work out the way Liam expected or wanted because he’s good enough to be a number one in the Championship, absolutely no problem.
“I think when you’re talking about Liam being involved in the Scotland squad, it shows the platform playing for Livingston can give you.
“Lyndon Dykes played every game in the Euros for Scotland, Deccy (Declan Gallagher) was in the squad.
“It proves there’s a platform from Livingston into the national team.”
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