Kelly urges Clarke to take a look at Coventry’s defensive duo
COVENTRY midfielder Liam Kelly insists defensive team-mates Dom Hyam and Michael Rose could be the answer to Steve Clarke’s prayers.
The Scotland boss faces huge selection decisions ahead of the Euro 2020 play-off semi-final with Israel in October. And former Kilmarnock midfielder Kelly believes Hyam and Rose can solve a longterm problem for the national team. Hyam contained Alfredo Morelos in the first half of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Rangers, while former Aberdeen kid Rose is on the way back from injury in preparation for the Sky Blues’ return to the English Championship.
Clarke watched the duo in a League One game against Sunderland last season. And, backing the pair to do a job for the national team, Kelly said: ‘They were fantastic all season, best defensive record in the league, won the league.
‘They are playing in the Championship next season and they are still very young so it would be massive for them and I think they would fully deserve the chance to get a call.
‘They were two that played near enough every single game, and won the league, so it is a natural progression for them. ‘You look at Rose, it is his first season down in England and Dom is probably only his second or third full season playing and they’ve been fantastic and only got better as the season went on. ‘They will be playing in the Championship, which is one of the biggest leagues in Europe still, and is of great quality. I’m sure Steve will be keeping an eye on them.’
Kelly (right) made one appearance for Scotland in a friendly win over Luxembourg in November 2012 and recommends the experience to his younger colleagues. ‘I only played briefly,’ he laughed. ‘About 45 minutes. But I’m sure if they get the opportunity, they’d love to. ‘They have spoken about it and they would love to get the call-up and I think they deserve the call-up — it would be nice for them to get it.’ Now 30, the former Rugby Park midfielder enjoyed his first game back at Ibrox since quitting Kilmarnock in January 2013 to join Bristol City. Pitched into a Rangers drama in February 2012 when Kilmarnock were the first visitors to Ibrox five days after administration, he recalled: ‘When the news broke obviously about everything going on in 2012, there were big protests outside the stadium. ‘It has come full circle now.
Rangers went down to the bottom tier and back up again — and now they’re looking to end the nine league wins for Celtic, so it’s a big year for them.
It’ll be an interesting season. ‘It’s a strange occasion because we’re playing two different teams in each half, lots of substitutions going on; it’s behind closed doors, so it’s hard to tell. ‘But the Rangers results, pre-season, have been good with the wins over Nice and Lyon — two fantastic results. So they’ll be ready to rock and roll next week and I’m sure they’ll want to win the league this season.’