Reported Celtic target Liam Kelly has officially triggered a release clause that was part of his Livingston contract.
The Tony Macaroni Arena side announced the news via their official club website yesterday. This also comes after he was linked with Celtic several weeks ago too (Scottish Sun).
Celtic are in need of another goalkeeper as they head into the new season. Dorus de Vries has left, with only Craig Gordon and Scott Bain available as first-team options.
But it also doesn’t look as though Kelly will be heading to Parkhead in any case. Speaking on their official website, Livingston said the following on the potential departure of their man:
“Livingston FC regretfully announce that Goalkeeper Liam Kelly has asked for a transfer release clause in his contract to be triggered allowing him to move onto pastures new, with a few teams from the English Championship chasing his signature.”
English Championship it is then
If Celtic were still interested, you would expect something different from Livingston here. There’s absolutely no sign that Neil Lennon is set to make the Livi shot-stopper his number one signing. According to Livi, only English Championship sides are pursuing him.
It probably wouldn’t have been the worst choice either for Celtic. Kelly has managed two clean sheets against us this season alone, including one at Parkhead. Overall out of his 42 appearances, the shot-stopper managed 17 clean sheets, helping to guide Livi to their ninth-placed finish this season.
Kelly was previously at Rangers during his youth days, but that wouldn’t have stopped Celtic going for him if they were interested. His performances throughout this campaign alone have earned him the interest he’s had.
If Kelly is asking for his release clause to be triggered by Livi too, then it obviously means he likes whatever he’s hearing in terms of that interest too. And it’s clear from Livi’s words that it doesn’t involve us.
He’ll be one to continue watching in the future. A potential future as Scotland number one isn’t out of the question, and Celtic could do with keeping tabs on him.
All the best to Kelly wherever he goes ahead of next season. But as for Celtic, a new third-choice goalkeeper should still be on the agenda.
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