McLeish: Stephen Kelly may have to leave Rangers permanently after update
Stephen Kelly may need to leave Rangers permanently if he isn’t going to be getting first-team minutes during the 2022-23 season.
That’s according to former Gers boss Alex McLeish, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the 22-year-old’s future.
As quoted by the Daily Record (11 June), Kelly claimed he has had “no indication” about his Rangers future but admitted he has a “massive 12 months” ahead with his contract in its final year.
The same outlet now reports (30 June) that Kelly is likely to be loan-listed for the upcoming campaign, with the youngster appearing on many clubs’ ‘wanted lists’.
However, McLeish claims the attacker may have to leave the club permanently to satisfy his desire for game time.
“I think Stephen has stated this a few months ago,” McLeish told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild
“It sounded like he maybe is concerned about his non-status at Ibrox.
“I would think it may be time for him to look for another club, permanently. It happens sometimes, players need to move for the good of their careers.
“The player has to go what is right for him and if that is a permanent move then so be it.”
Kelly has played just three times for Rangers to date and is yet to turn out for the Ibrox side in the Scottish Premiership.
He spent the second half of the 2021-22 season on loan at Salford City but only scored once in 21 league games.
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