Kelly wants starring role
Stephen to become complete player
AYR UNITED.......................................... 1 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH...................... 0
Stuart Wilson at Somerset Park
Stephen Kelly added another beauty to his growing Somerset collection as Ayr rode their luck to all three points.
But the Ibrox starlet hopes Ian McCall can improve his defensive game during his 12 months in the Championship.
Kelly’s creative spark has already made him a firm favourite with the United support.
And his thumping volley to win this contest was yet more proof of his threat in the final third.
But the 19- year- old revealed: “The manager is always telling me to play my own game and express myself.
“And he’s trying to help me out with the defensive side of my game, which has maybe been one of my weaker sides growing up.
“The physical side at this level is a lot harder than I’ve been used to.”
Kelly is one of the star acts within Rangers’ youth setup and boss Steven Gerrard is closely monitoring his spell at Somerset.
But the midfielder insists he’s just focused on producing the goods rather than catching any watching eyes.
He said: “I’m just trying to play each game as it comes and do as well as I can.
“You’re not going to have your best game each week but I’ll get to the end of the season and look on what I’ve done and take it from there.”
The truth of the matter is Kelly helped haul Ayr over the line in this one after a first half battering from Queens.
Opposing manager Allan Johnston wore the look of a baffled man at time up and it was little wonder following a host of missed opportunities.
The Doonhamers could easily have been two goals to the good in the opening exchanges as Gary Oliver and Faissal el Bakhtaoui both drew good stops from Ross Doohan.
Bakhtaoui went close again before Jamie Adams cleared a Lewis Kidd shot off the line as Ayr clung on.
But against the run of play, Alan Forrest streaked down the left and crossed for Kelly to thump home a brilliant volley from 18 yards.
That gave Ayr the impetus but they still needed the inspired Doohan to deny Bakhtaoui again.
And the big keeper produced a wonder save near the end to keep out a header from sub Jack Hamilton.
Forrest could have put gloss on the scoreline at the death but saw his shot brilliantly tipped over by Robbie McCrorie.
McCall admitted: “We were fortunate and Queens deserved a draw.
“It was a great three points although I thought we looked a little bit leggy.”
Queens boss Johnston said: “On another day we could have scored three or four easily.”