Introducing Liam Kelly, a man born on the 23rd of January, 1996 (currently 28 years old if you're struggling to do the math). Born in Scotland, he's landed himself the role of goalkeeper for their charming team, Rangers. Towering at 1.89m (6ft 2in) and weighing 82kg (12st 12lb), he rightfully claims the number 31 jersey. As though anyone else would dare.
Let's jump in the time machine to July 2004. Young Liam takes his first fledgeling steps with Rangers, joining their Premiership team in Scotland. The most recent 2024 - 2025 season sees him making three somewhat underwhelming first team appearances in league matches.
The January of 2016 witnesses our protagonist on the move, as he was transferred on loan from glamourous Premiership side Rangers, to East Fife in the lesser-known depths of League Two. Making 16 first team appearances in the debut season, it's not too shabby for a wee loanee.
True to the transient nature of loan deals, Kelly joyfully returned back to Rangers in July 2016, gracing the Premiership once more. A stint at Livingston followed, a loan spell which bore 34 and 36 first team appearances in seasons '16-'17 and '18-'19 respectively. A rather impressive tally for someone being passed around the Scottish leagues like a game of hot potato.
Fast forward to July of 2018 and our nomadic keeper is on the move again. This time, he swaps the blue of Rangers to solidify his place at Livingston, the very same Championship side, for an undisclosed fee. How mysteriously intriguing.
In 2019, our brave lad decides to uproot and cross borders. He transferred from Livingston, in the Scottish Championship, to Queens Park Rangers nestled in England's Championship for yet another undisclosed fee. The lack of transparency is maddening, isn’t it? Nevertheless, Mr.Kelly made 19 first team appearances for QPR in the 2019 - 2020 season. Not abysmal I’d say.
But wait, there's more (as they say in those gaudy television adverts). Proving you can take the boy out of Scotland but not Scotland out of the boy, in January 2021, Kelly turned his tail and transferred back to the home ground on loan, joining Motherwell in Scotland's Premiership. Notable performances amounting to 18 first team appearances in his debut season at 'Well' were followed up by a staggering consistency of 38 appearances each in the following three seasons, up until 2023 - 2024. At least he’s consistent, eh?
Embracing the Scottish chill again in July 2021, our roaming keeper sealed a permanent deal departing from QPR and rooting firmly at Motherwell. Cue the heartbreaking goodbye montage. Four seasons revolved, the same number of first team appearances were made, the same Scottish rain kept pouring.
In an absolutely shocking turn of events, we come full circle in July 2024. The prodigal son returns, as Kelly switches again, this time from Motherwell back to Rangers, in what can only be described as a Premiership merry-go-round. The 2024 - 2025 season witnessed him making only three first team appearances. One can only hope the magic number ‘three’ is not an envisage of his future performances.
What a rollercoaster it has been for Mr. Kelly. The life of a goalkeeper, one might say, is never dull. Here's hoping the future holds fewer transfers and more clean sheets. Although, with Kelly, I wouldn't bank on it.
