I’ll catch Stevie’s eye at Somerset
Kelly vows to impress watching Gerrard on loan
AYR UNITED............................................ 2 STRANRAER........................................... 2 STUART WILSON AT SOMERSET
Stephen Kelly admits the pressure is on to prove himself at Somerset - because a certain Steven Gerrard is watching.
The highly rated 19- year- old is among the brightest prospects of the Rangers youth system.
And Gers bosses hope a year under Ian McCall at Somerset will ready him for first team rigours back at Ibrox.
Already, Kelly looks a class act and produced this game’s quality moment with a stunning free kick.
But it wasn’t enough to stop Ayr blundering their way out of the Betfred Cup.
Now Kelly’s bidding to stamp his mark on the side as the league campaign gets underway against Morton on Saturday.
Kelly, deployed on the left of midfield, said: “It was a disappointing result and performance but that was my first professional goal so I have to be happy with that.
“I see myself as a creative midfielder
who always likes to get on the ball.
“It’s good just to get any games in any position and although playing on the left is maybe a bit harder for me, I’m here to play as many games as I can.
“The plan is obviously to go back to Rangers and I still have another year there after this.
“Ayr did well last season so are a good club for me and should be up there again.
“Hopefully I can do well and impress.”
Kelly was a rare bright spot for Ayr, who looked unbalanced and flat as they twice fluffed a lead to exit the cup.
Michael Moffat’s early opener was cancelled out by a free header from Adam Cummins as United’s marking looked suspect from a corner.
But they quickly forged ahead again when Kelly curled a cracking strike into the top corner from 25 yards.
But that proved a false dawn as Stranraer went on to dominate the second half.
And Cummins was given yet another free header to level the tie again before sending it to spot kicks.
Daniel Harvie missed the crucial kick for Ayr before Ryan Thomson stepped up to win it for the Blues.
Furious Ayr boss Ian McCall said: “We were trying to play fantasy football at times and it won’t work in the Championship.
“It’s clear we need players of strength in the team.
“It’s a very disappointing day for us and I’m gutted.”
Ayr did well last season so are a good club for me