Motherwell striker Kevin Van Veen says Liam Kelly ranks among the top goalkeepers he has worked with - but manager Graham Alexander believes his vice-captain has nothing to prove.
The goalkeeper was inspiring at the weekend as the Steelmen beat Aberdeen 2-0 to move fifth in the Premiership.
Kelly made multiple saves in the first half to keep the Dons at bay. After half-time, Kelly made an unbelievable double save when the ball looked in the net.
Alexander thought his side had been pegged back, but that wasn't the case. The save comes off a week where Kelly was dropped by Scotland boss Steve Clarke for two World Cup 2022 qualifiers against Moldova and Denmark.
Motherwell's boss knows there is stiff competition to become the nation's number one, but Kelly is doing all he can.
“I’ve not seen it because it was down the far end, but I actually though it was in the goal,” said Alexander.
“It was a fantastic save. We can’t say we’re surprised by it because we know what a good goalkeeper he is.
“Our focus is on Motherwell, but I don’t think Liam has to do anything different. Steve Clarke knows he’s a good goalkeeper – he has other good goalkeepers and you can’t pick them all.
“He’s a top goalkeeper and he led the group with his personality and character.”
Van Veen netted a brace at the end opposite to Kelly, but even he was astounded by the goalkeeper's performance. The Dutchman rates him as a crucial Fir Park cog.
"He is amazing," added Van Veen. "He is a very good goalkeeper. He is very quick with his hands and if that goes in then you still need to see 10 or 15 minutes of complete pressure out from Aberdeen.
“That save was a game-winning one and credit to him for that. On Saturday he had that save and he makes other saves look so easy.
"Balls bobble into his hands and he is so safe. He is a focal point for the team and he is very important for us. I have worked with a lot of goalkeepers and he is up there as one of the best.”
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
