DON’T GIVE UP THE EURO DREAM
Accies ace Martin will use his survival instincts to stay up
GRAHAM ALEXANDER has urged Liam Kelly not to give up on his Euro 2020 dream despite the upset of missing out on the latest Scotland squad.
The Motherwell keeper was tipped for a call-up from Steve Clarke for next week’s World Cup qualifiers after a superb run of form for the Steelmen.
But Clarke stuck with the three keepers who helped secure qualification.
Well are represented in the squad through Declan Gallagher and Stephen O’Donnell and Alexander reckons Kelly could be one call-off from joining them.
He drew on his own experiences with the national team to assure the QPR loanee that cap calls can come at any moment.
Alexander said: “Steve Clarke will have a squad of players on the outside who are chomping at the bit to get in and I’m sure Liam will be among them.
“His form has been fantastic for us. He’s a great leader on and off the pitch, he’s brilliant on the training pitch, the will-to-win I want is epitomised by Liam in how he approaches the game.
“He was hopeful about the squad and I’m sure if he continues to play as he is and an opportunity arises he’ll be in Steve’s thinking.
“It’s down to Liam to not let his standards drop because, again, I know from my own experience that opportunity could come at the drop of a hat.
“If you’re not ready to take it it will go to someone else. Steve will know of Liam, he will see what he’s doing. All us managers are there to help him, because we all want to see Scotland do well.
“But if that call comes about any one of my players, I’ll be very happy to take it.
“Liam knows the strides he’s made since coming here in terms of how he’s playing and without a doubt he’s one of the best goalkeepers Scotland have. The opportunity will certainly come and he’s got to be ready for it.”
Well can move 13 points clear of bottom-placed Kilmarnock and to within a win of safety if they take three points at Rugby Park today.
But Alexander won’t allow any complacency to set in ahead of the end of their season.
He said: “Regardless of what happens on Saturday, we will not drop our intensity and our want for points.
“You have to have that inner will and drive to represent yourself in the best way possible every time you put on a pair of boots, and that for me underpins everything you achieve in football.”