SORT IT OUT STEELMEN Kelly calls for improvement in Europe bid
Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly says the Steelmen need to up their game massively if they are to stand any chance of claiming European football.
The vice-captain put the ball into his own net as former club Rangers swept past them 3-1 at Fir Park in their first Premiership game post-split, despite Gers being down to 10 men for an hour after Leon Balogun’s red card.
Graham Alexander’s ‘Well side have won just once in the league since December yet managed to claim a top six spot this term.
Now fighting for the Euro spots in fourth or fifth with Dundee United and Ross County above them, a sharp bucking up of ideas is needed according to Kelly.
He said: “It’s very disappointing. I don’t know what to even say after that.
“I genuinely don’t. We weren’t good enough and that’s the bottom line.
“I felt as if the second goal worked in Rangers’ favour as we didn’t know how to break them down after that. I don’t know whether it’s a penalty or not but it doesn’t matter in terms of getting back into the game.
“We only needed one goal for that. We needed to stay in the game. I’m really disappointed.
“All I want us to be is better. We didn’t look like scoring.”
The 26-year-old doesn’t shirk criticism either. Despite a strong season following a permanent move to Fir Park from QPR last summer, he believes his own performances must improve as well.
Kelly explained: “I include myself in all of this. I want to be a lot better than what I showed. I am a bit lost for words in terms of my own performance.
“It could have been a lot better and the team could have been a lot better.
“The first one, I’ve went to block it and it’s come off my hand and gone in the way.
“I tried to react and claw it away. I didn’t get there.
“I am pretty disappointed with it, even though there are other factors like us doing better before it, but I should do my job better.”
Two huge trips to Dundee United and Ross County await Motherwell next, before matches with Hearts and Celtic end the season.
Ahead of Saturday’s visit to Tannadice, Kelly added: “We’ve beaten Dundee United, Ross County and Hearts already this season, so we know we can win games.
“But we, myself included, have to be a lot better than this.”