Liam Kelly Rangers exit twist emerges after new development
Liam Kelly usurped Jack Butland as the Rangers number one over the past few weeks, given the latter’s poor performances in goal.
Kelly even made a penalty save in the Europa League against Athletic Bilbao and has been Gers’ number one since then.
Butland has had to contend for a spot on the bench with Barry Ferguson deciding who his preferred keeper is.
Kelly admits uncertainty about future
Kelly was recently questioned about him potentially fighting for the number one spot at Ibrox next season.
While he has been favoured over Butland of late, he does not think that will necessarily be the case next season as well.
He said: “No, because I feel it’s always just one game at a time, honestly.
“I know that’s a cliche answer, but I’ve realised you can play so well here one week and then you’re the best in the world. Then you can play so poorly, and then all of a sudden, you’re not the answer.
“So, I just need to focus on playing well one game at a time. Come the summer, what will be, will be.
“Listen, Jack [Butland] is pushing to play every single day, so that’s a massive challenge for me when you’ve got a goalkeeper of his level desperate to play.
“One game at a time, done all right today, made a couple of mistakes on the ball, which is unlike me, but done a couple of good things.
“But as a collective, we need to be far, far better and that includes me. I won’t take myself away from that.”
Rangers goalkeeping situation expected to be clarified by the new manager
The decision over Rangers’ starting goalkeeper will be a pivotal task for the incoming manager, potentially Daniel Farke, as both Kelly and Butland present compelling yet contrasting cases.
Kelly’s vocal leadership, fan-like passion, and recent performances showcase his reliability and ability to set high standards, though his occasional errors, as he admitted post-St Mirren, highlight areas for improvement.
| Stat | Daniel Farke |
| Games | 102 |
| Wins | 59 (58%) |
| Draws | 24 |
| Losses | 19 |
Butland, despite recent costly mistakes, has a higher ceiling on form, evidenced by his standout displays for Rangers, but his inconsistency has raised doubts.
The new manager will need to assess whether either keeper aligns with their tactical vision, particularly if they prioritise a ball-playing goalkeeper or one with commanding presence.
However, if neither Kelly nor Butland fully fits the desired style, like a sweeper-keeper for a possession-based system, the manager may opt to recruit a new goalkeeper entirely.
With Rangers facing a potential squad overhaul, Kevin Thelwell and the new manager could view the goalkeeper position as a clean slate to implement their philosophy, ensuring the chosen player not only excels technically but also embodies the leadership needed to navigate Rangers’ high-pressure environment.