Kelly tipped to reject Rangers January exit to English club after transfer mission – pundit
Noel Whelan has tipped Rangers youngster Stephen Kelly to snub a move away in January after Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s arrival.
The former Aberdeen striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 21-year-old would want to stay and make an impression on the new manager.
As reported by the Daily Record (18th November), Kelly is wanted by clubs in both England and Scotland ahead of January.
It is said scouts were in attendance to watch him in action for Scotland’s under-21s against Belgium on Tuesday.
The young midfielder was reportedly in high demand over the summer.
However, Rangers wanted him to remain as part of the first-team squad.
With Steven Gerrard replaced by Van Bronckhorst this week, Whelan suggested Kelly would want to remain at Ibrox to impress the new manager.
Asked if he thought Kelly could snub a move to England after van Bronckhorst’s appointment, Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Yeah. Absolutely.
“It’s so important to have that right attitude when new managers come into a club because you never know.
“You might have the opportunity. They might see you as that player who can do a job for them the other manager couldn’t see.
“You’ve still got to work hard and be professional for the first team players that were in the picture under Steven Gerrard.
“But there are going to be changes there.
“The manager now will make his own choice of players and have his own opinion on them.”
Kelly has featured just twice this season.
The academy graduate played a total of 13 minutes in games against Alashkert and Dunfermline.
He has three first-team appearances under his belt for the Gers.
In other news, Kieran Maguire reveals ‘true reason’ Gerrard quit Rangers after Ibrox Source reveal.