Mark Warburton worked with Liam Kelly before but is a reunion on the cards at Queens Park Rangers?
New Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Warburton is hoping to make Livingston goalkeeper Liam Kelly his first signing at Loftus Road, as reported by the Daily Record.
The 23-year-old shot-stopper established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Scottish Premiership last season, keeping 14 clean sheets as Livi comfortably avoided a relegation battle.
But a clause in Kelly’s contract means he is available for a bargain £50,000, according to the Scottish Sun, with Celtic, Hamburg, Wigan, Barnsley, Reading and Ipswich Town all reported to be keen – although the latter have recently signed Thomas Holy from Gillingham instead.
And the Daily Record believes that QPR have now joined the race for the as-yet uncapped Scotland ‘keeper.
Warburton, who has replaced Steve McClaren at Loftus Road, knows Kelly from his time at Rangers between 2015 and 2017. Kelly was a youth teamer at Ibrox back then and left the Glasgow giants a year ago before embarking upon a transformative season between the sticks at Livingston.
Speaking to Eurosport during his first season in charge of Rangers, Warburton hailed Kelly’s performances behind the scenes as the youngster was promoted to a back-up role behind number one Cammy Bell.
“Liam Kelly has trained really well and is on the bench every week. Liam has been excellent as (Bell’s) deputy.”
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