Liam Kelly happy to wait for contract talks as he focuses on Motherwell

Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly insists he is relaxed about his contract situation and is just concentrating on giving his best for the club.

The 27-year-old reaches the end of his existing Fir Park deal at the end of the season and has not yet agreed an extension, meaning he could speak to other clubs from January, or leave at the end of the current campaign if his future isn’t sorted before then.

Kelly says he is happy at Motherwell and thriving under manager Stuart Kettlewell, and so is in no hurry to discuss his long-term future while he focuses on the team’s short-term goals.

“I don’t think about it at all,” the former Livingston and QPR player said. “Obviously I’m aware of it, I’m not daft.

“It’s the kind of situation where I’m just trying to play well and I have no control over that point. I’m definitely going to be a Motherwell player until the end of the season, and I’m loving it.

“So whatever comes is going to come.

“I’ve spoken to the manager about it and I’m really clear on where he’s at and the club’s at, and they know my position as well. So the relationship is really strong and we’re all pulling in the same direction.

“It’s something we’ll address further down the line. I’ll keep doing my best and we’ll look at it further down the season.

“I don’t ever hide how much I love playing here. It’s so important to be playing and I’ve always wanted to do that. That’s the most important thing to me.”

While Kelly is relaxed about his club situation, he’s also facing a big season, and a huge end-of-season call with the Scotland national team. Having become a squad regular under Steve Clarke, the goalkeeper made his senior international debut in the friendly against France earlier this month.

Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark replaced Kelly at half time in that match, while Angus Gunn has recently established himself as first choice in competitive games.

With Craig Gordon now close to a full return from his double leg break, it looks like a battle between four goalkeepers for three places in Clarke’s final 25-man squad for next summer’s Euros.

Kelly welcomed Gordon back from injury and said that the competition for a place was good for everyone and that club form would always be the foundation for international ambitions.

“I think every Scottish player will probably see the Euros squad as their target now,” he said.

“I’ve just gone through the same process, and I’ve said it before, of just trying to play well for your club because the gaffer at Scotland is always telling you he’s watching club form. And when you leave [the international camp], he tells you to play well. So that comes first.

“It’s great to see big Craig back and I never really had any doubts that he was going to come back. I remember saying early on that he’s kind of a freak of nature in how he moves for his age.

“I expect him to make a full recovery and I’m glad he is back because he is an unbelievable goalkeeper. He’s probably one of the best the country has ever had.

“The competition is there, yes. I love it. Myself, Zander, Craig and Angus. All really good guys and all desperate to play.

“If you don’t play then you support the guy that does play.

“The manager keeps his cards close to his chest and watches everybody, then makes his decision. He’s always watching so you look to play well, train well and keep putting in good performances for your club.”