David Martindale delighted as Stephen Kelly makes switch from Rangers to Livingston

Livingston manager David Martindale has expressed his delight at signing Stephen Kelly from Rangers on deadline day.

The 22-year-old midfielder signed a three-year deal with the Lions before the window closed and goes straight into the squad for this weekend’s match against Hearts.

Kelly, a Scotland Under-21 international, made his Rangers debut back in 2018 and made two first team appearances last season but the vast majority of his first team experience has come from loan spells at Ayr United, Ross County and Salford City.

Martindale believes he’s landed a player who can bring an abundance of creativity to his team and says he’s happy the player has chosen Livingston ahead of other options.

“Stephen is a player whose development I have tracked since his days at Ayr United,” the manager said. “I have watched him closely at Ayr, Ross County and Scotland 21’s.

“I really like the way Stephen sees the game – he is a very creative player with great energy and a wonderful right foot.

“He has a tremendous delivery from set plays and can play on either side as an 8, or further forward as a 10.

“I’m delighted he has chosen to continue his career and development with Livingston FC. He has shown a strong commitment to Livingston FC by signing a three-year-deal and I think it shows how highly we rate Stephen too.

“We were only able to get this deal done with the help and understanding of Rangers FC, Stephen himself and his representation. I think it’s fair to say that there was a good bit of interest in Stephen and we are delighted he has chosen to sign on with ourselves.”