Would Liam Kelly exit prevent Jak Alnwick from escaping Rangers?

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Seldom-seen goalkeeper Jak Alnwick was reportedly keen to leave Ibrox after making just six Scottish Premiership appearances for Rangers.

It seems that Liam Kelly’s hopes of making a first-team bow for Rangers are all but over.

The Scottish Sun reports that Livingston have agreed to sign the 22-year-old goalkeeper on a two-year deal, although it seems that Rangers are not too happy about letting him go.

Kelly, who spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Livingston as they stormed to the League One title, was highly-rated at Ibrox. The Scottish Sun reports that Rangers were keen to keep hold of him before accepting that he needed to leave in order to further his career.

And it will be interesting to see what impact Kelly’s alleged departure has on Rangers’ other goalkeepers, particularly Jak Alnwick.

With 36-year-old Allan McGregor returning to Ibrox on a free from Hull City this summer, and Wes Foderingham stating that he wants to stay and fight for his place, the Express reported that Alnwick hoped to leave in order to secure more regular first-team football.

Alnwick, since arriving from Port Vale for £250,000 in January 2017, has played just six league games, most of those coming when Foderingham was absent through injury.

But Kelly’s reported exit means Rangers cannot really afford to let Alnwick go this summer, especially with another young shot-stopper Robby McCrorie expected to join Ayr United on loan.

With Rangers aiming to compete in four competitions next season, they need options and depth between the sticks, so persevering with just two senior shot-stoppers would be a risk.

After allowing Kelly to leave, could Rangers force Alnwick to stay?