The Glasgow Rangers academy ace left Ibrox this summer to play for Ayr.
Glasgow Rangers academy ace Stephen Kelly has spoken of his desire to break through at Ibrox but admits that, should he fail to make the first team, he is prepared to ply his trade elsewhere after having his eyes opened to “other football away from Rangers” (Daily Record).
The highly rated 19-year-old midfielder, who is contracted at Rangers until 2021, made his competitive debut against Ayr United – where he is now on loan – in September last year coming on as a substitute in the Scottish League Cup tie, but that remains his sole Ibrox appearance to date according to Transfermarkt.
Despite his talents, Kelly’s route to the first team would mean dislodging the likes of Ryan Jack, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield, so at present he is with the Honest Men until the end of the 2019-20 campaign, where he is thoroughly impressing for Ian McCall’s side.
“Ross (McCrorie) progressed all the way through at Rangers, like I have, and managed to break in,” Kelly is quoted by the Daily Record as saying. “But he’s now out on loan again. So it’s hard to imagine (being in the first team) because it’s not great when you don’t see a youth player in there. But that’s down to it being such a massive club.
“I just have to keep training and playing well – and if a chance comes, take it… but sometimes it might not work and I’m prepared for not getting a chance if that’s the way it works out. It’s still my goal to play for Rangers, that’s always been the case. But this move to Ayr has shown me that there’s other football, away from Rangers. When you’re there, you don’t realise that. Coming to a different club, it opens your eyes a bit. But Rangers are still the goal for me.”
Kelly has made 11 appearances for Ayr in all competitions, scoring four goals and registering two assists, according to Transfermarkt.
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