All’s well for Liam – even with future being up in the air
Liam Kelly will make it 21 today in terms of appearances for Motherwell.
But the former Rangers and Livingston goalkeeper won’t know for some time yet whether that will provide him with the key of the door at Fir Park.
Signed on loan from QPR in January, the 25-year-old has subsequently made the jersey his own, but he admits he’s powerless to decide whether or not he’ll be playing Premiership football next season, or warming the bench at Loftus Road.
Motherwell boss, Graham Alexander, has made it clear that he would love to have him back next season on another loan or a permanent deal.
But Kelly will have no say in that decision, admitting it’s up to QPR manager Mark Warburton to make that call.
“I still don’t know what’s going to happen because it’s under QPR’s control,” he said.
“I’ve got a good relationship with the club here, so there’s clarity of what might be happening if I’m not required at QPR.
“I don’t think I’m sharing any secrets that I’ve been speaking to Motherwell about the thought of coming back next year. But I still need confirmation if I’m going to be at QPR or not.
“There are things to be sorted if that was to happen, and you don’t want to be disrespectful to any other teams that might be interested.
“Consequently, it’s an open situation at the moment. I still don’t know where I’m going to be.
“Talks are happening, way above my head. I’ve just tried to concentrate on football, and let my agent deal with other things. I’ve got two years left on my contract and I think it may have been a bit easier if it had been just the one.”
Kelly joined the London club in 2019, and made 22 appearances for them before returning north of the border. He isn’t against a return to the capital, but not if it means being an understudy.
“QPR are a massive club and, if they wanted me to come back and play, I’d be over the moon with that. But I wouldn’t be over the moon to sit on the bench,” he claimed.
“I don’t want to do that at my age. I just want to keep playing football, wherever that may be. I’m fortunate that a club the size of Motherwell are keen to have me back.
“If QPR want me away permanently, there may need to be a solution found for that. Equally, if they want me to go on loan, we need to find a solution for that as well.
“Ultimately, it’s up to them. All I know is that I want to play.
“At QPR, Seny Dieng is the No. 1 and he will play as long as he’s at the club. So, if he’s going to be there, I need to go and play somewhere else.
“I’ve loved my time here. We’re seven undefeated over 90 minutes and, hopefully, we can make that eight against Ross County.”