Credit: Imago

Jack Dawson

Wed 1 April 2026 18:40, UK

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Liam Kelly was given the nod to start in Scotland’s 1-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast on Tuesday.

The goalkeeper has maintained his place in the Scotland squad despite his limited minutes at Rangers.

However, against the Ivory Coast, he did not impress, and he made numerous mistakes before he was taken off at half-time.

As a result, the Scottish media has not been kind to Kelly, lambasting him for his performance as he earned just his second senior cap for his country.

Below, Football Insider has examined the media’s reaction to Kelly’s Scotland display.

Liam Kelly slammed by Scotland media for Ivory Coast display

Kelly has only made three appearances for Rangers this season, with his last coming in the 8-0 victory over Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup in February.

However, with the Gers now out of both domestic cup competitions and fighting for the Scottish Premiership title, it seems unlikely that he will play again for the club this season.

Therefore, it was seen as a slightly odd decision that Steve Clarke opted to call him up for the friendlies in March, and his lack of game time this season was on full show.

The 30-year-old looked shaky throughout and was perhaps lucky not to concede more goals in the first half before he was subbed off.

As a result, the Edinburgh Evening News on 31 March did not hold back in its assessment, giving the goalkeeper 4/10, before commenting: “Earning just his second cap. Endured a nervy moment early doors as he bundled the ball out of play from a back-pass.

“Almost lobbed by Wahi and couldn’t prevent Pepe’s follow-up for Ivory Coast’s opener. Hooked at half-time. Not a great World Cup audition.”

Rangers need to update their goalkeeping department

Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider that Jim Gillespie needs to begin changing Rangers’ transfer strategy.

Gillespie has replaced Patrick Stewart as Rangers’ new chief executive and will now prepare for the summer transfer window.

Wyness believes that the Gers should focus on bringing in young talents to Ibrox to eventually sell for a profit, and the goalkeeping department has to be one of the major areas focused.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤝 Good luck to Liam Kelly and John Souttar, who start for @ScotlandNT in tonight’s match against Côte d’Ivoire, with Findlay Curtis also named on the bench!

📺 Watch live on @BBCiPlayer https://t.co/yhnKfsOHcv

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 31, 2026

Jack Butland is now 33 years old and not getting any younger, while Kelly is clearly not good enough.

Therefore, a new, younger goalkeeper would be ideal, even if he is just there to challenge Butland for the number one spot next season as he continues to develop into a permanent starter.