According to the latest reports from the Scottish Sun, Livingston goalkeeper Liam Kelly could be available on a cut-price deal in the summer and Celtic are one of the clubs who are monitoring his situation. However, it is being said that Kelly might not be prepared to play as a backup for the Glaswegian giants. English clubs like Ipswich, Wigan, Barnsley and Reading are also said to be interested. Bundesliga 2 outfit Hamburg are also right in the mix to sign him.
Reports add that Livingston inserted a cut-price clause which could see Kelly moving on after just 12 months. The goalkeeper had joined from Rangers just last summer only. The player could be available for as low as £50,000.
The goalkeeper moved away from Ibrox in search of regular game time and at Livingston, he managed to get that. Celtic fans would know about the goalkeeper as Kelly recently put in a massive performance at Celtic Park as Livi escaped with a goalless draw. The 23-year-old played a significant role in that as he made some quick reflex and acrobatic saves.
Kelly never managed to make an appearance for Rangers, but now it seems like he is a top talent. Celtic are right in looking for a goalkeeper as Craig Gordon will enter into the final year of his contract and third choice goalkeeper Dorus De Vries is likely to depart from the club in the summer.
However, the Scotsman might think twice before moving to Celtic as he is likely to be used an understudy to Scott Bain. The Celtic No. 1 has established himself as the main goalkeeper since the start of the year and has even managed to get into the Scotland lineup over Gordon.
Chances of Celtic signing him?
The goalkeeping position is often a tough situation to solve as there is only one place to fight for and we don’t really see managers rotating goalkeepers like the outfield players. A player who has just started to get regular game time and is in his prime right now would always find it hard to be a deputy when he can play first-team football for other teams.
If Kelly wants to play first-team football, then we don’t see how Celtic would be able to lure him. His performance for Livingston has been such that he can easily play as the first choice goalkeeper for quite a few clubs. A move to England or Germany could also tempt the former Scotland u-21 international.
