Kelly backs Coventry pair to make mark if Clarke comes calling
LIAM Kelly has backed his Coventry City team-mates Dom Hyam and Michael Rose to perform well for Scotland if Steve Clarke hands them a call-up in the new season.
Hyam and Rose helped Coventry keep the best defensive record in League One in England last season and win promotion to the Championship as third-tier title winners.
Clarke, who is short of quality options at centre-back, has watched the pair in action for Mark Robins’ side since taking charge of the national team last year.
Dundee-born defender Hyam, who has been capped by Scotland at both under-19 and under-21 level, and Rose, the former Aberdeen, Forfar and Ayr United stopper, are both 24.
Coventry captain Kelly, the former Kilmarnock midfielder who made one appearance for Scotland in a friendly against Luxembourg back in 2012, believes they could cope with the step up.
“They were fantastic all season,” he said. “They had the best defensive record in the league and they 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 will be playing in the Championship, which is one of the biggest leagues in Europe still, and is of great quality. I’m sure he [Clarke] will be keeping an eye on them.”
Kelly believes Hyam and Rose would relish the chance to represent their national team.
“They were two that played near enough every single game so it [international football] is a natural progression for them,” he said.
“Look at Rose. It is his first season down in England and Dom is probably only his second or third full season playing. But they’ve been fantastic and only got better as the season went on.
“I only played [for Scotland] briefly, 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. I think they deserve the call up and it would be nice for them to get it.”
Kelly played against Rangers on several occasions during his time at Rugby Park and enjoyed being back at Ibrox with Coventry on Saturday.
He was unable, though, to prevent the visitors being beaten 2-0 and predicted Steven Gerrard’s men will challenge strongly for the Premiership title in the 2020/21 campaign.
“It’s been about seven years since I played up here,” he said. “It was nice to be back up. It felt a bit strange, but it is nice to get a run out in a big occasion like this early in our pre-season. Obviously, Rangers start next week and we’ve got seven or eight weeks to go.
“The last time I played here it was when the news broke about everything going on [after Rangers were put into administration back in 2012] and there were big protests outside the stadium.
“It has come full circle now. They went down to the bottom tier and back up again and looking to end the nine league wins for Celtic, so it’s a big year for them. It’ll be an interesting season.”
Kelly added: “Saturday was 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 their 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.”
KILMARNOCK
Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer admits he is relishing the first Premiership game of the season against Hibs after his side’s pre-season programme ended with a 1-1 draw at Dundee United on Saturday.
Greg Kiltie levelled at the start of the second half for the Rugby Park outfit after Cammy Smith had handed the top flight newcomers the lead within 60 seconds
Killie have also beaten Motherwell and lost to Livingston in their warm-up matches but now Dyer is desperate to get the competitive action back underway in this Saturday’s trip to Easter Road.
He said: “I’m excited for the next week and the first match against Hibs.
“It’s about putting out a side that will represent the club and put in a good performance.
“I’m happy with the work we’ve done this summer.
“We’ve had a good pre-season and the lads have trained very well.
“We’re still rusty in areas and it will take time to pass the ball nice and sharply, the way we want to.”
HIBS
Hibs have made the ‘signing of the season so far’ in Drey Wright, according to Tommy Wright.
The former St Johnstone manager is a huge admirer of the winger and has previously branded the 25-year-old one of the most technically-gifted players he worked with during his time in Perth.
He said: “I think, in Drey Wright, Jack has probably picked up the signing of the summer so far.
“When I was at St Johnstone, we really wanted to get him re-signed before Christmas, but we couldn’t get it done.
“If he stays fit, I think Drey will play a big part for Jack this season.”