Liam is happy to wait for his shot at Scotland glory
Liam Kelly’s dream is to succeed Craig Gordon as Scotland’s No. 1.
And, with the latter due to turn 40 next month, David Marshall and Allan McGregor both retired from international football, plus Kelly’s own peers – Jon McLaughlin and Zander Clark – consigned to the bench, it is a scenario that grows ever more likely.
However, having missed out on what would have been his first cap when Gordon played against the Republic of Ireland just a few hours after attending the birth of his son, the Motherwell keeper says he is not holding his breath.
The friendly against Turkey on Wednesday week might look an ideal opportunity for Steve Clarke to give him his debut. But the man he will face at Tynecastle this afternoon is also likely to be ready, willing and able to add to his tally of 72 appearances.
“I have played at every level for the national team, except the senior team, and that is something I am proud of,” said Kelly, as he looked ahead to his side’s game against Hearts today.
“Playing for the ‘A’ squad is the last one to go. It is the toughest one to get, the one that so many people would love to do.
“If I ever get that opportunity, whether it’s in the next five months or the next 15 years, then I’d be over the moon whenever it comes.
“At the same time as being ambitious, I also have to be honest and call it how I see it.
“Craig is playing so well, and he is that good. He is a brilliant goalie and I am his biggest fan.
“He was out of the game for a couple of years but you would never be able to tell that now. He plays at such a high level, and he’s getting that two years back now by being able to play to such a high standard.
“He has such a good, strong mentality. You see that when you go away with the national team – he’s quite calm and very level-headed.
“I would never have a problem saying how good someone is if they are performing at that level.
“When I was growing up, it was all about Craig, Allan McGregor and David Marshall. That is what you would dream about replicating.
“It will be a hard task because the three of them have been unbelievable for their country, and whatever club they have been at.
“They have set the bar for goalkeeping in this country. If you can get anywhere near them, you are onto a winner.”
McGregor and Marshall have called it a day with Scotland to concentrate their efforts on playing club football, for Rangers and Hibs respectively.
Gordon, despite hinting he would do likewise, continues to effortlessly juggle his commitments to his club, country and family, with his appearance against the Republic in September a case in point.
“I know how much playing for Scotland means to Craig,” said Kelly, who was put on stand-by to play had his colleague not felt himself able.
“He was quite relaxed about it.
“There was always a chance he was going to make it, unless the baby was born right before kick-off!
“I was looking forward to the opportunity if it came. But I was never too high, because I always knew Craig would be desperate to play in the game as well.
“When you get picked, there is an understanding that you need to be ready to play.
“The manager was really calm about the situation. If Craig was not going to be playing, I would have done so. But there was never any panic because it was realistic he was going to make the game.
“So, as always, I am concentrating on doing the best for my club, and if you get picked, then brilliant. It is never an easy task, though, when you are facing probably the best goalie in the country.”