Liam Kelly’s Motherwell exit confirmed amid reports of Rangers return

Motherwell have confirmed club captain Liam Kelly will depart the club this summer amid reports the Scotland squad goalkeeper is set for a return to Rangers.

The Fir Park club released an end-of-season squad update on Friday announcing that Kelly will be leaving upon expiry of his contract along with Callan Elliot, Calum Butcher, Barry Maguire and Blair Spittal, who has agreed a pre-contract with Hearts.

Defender Paul McGinn has signed a one-year contract extension with the option of a further year while Aston Oxborough, Kelly’s understudy, has signed a deal until next summer.

Kelly, 28, has been at Motherwell for three and a half years, including his initial stint on loan from QPR in the first half of 2021. The goalkeeper made his Scotland debut in a friendly against France last October and was named in Steve Clarke’s provisional 28-man squad for Euro 2024 earlier this week.

Kelly has been heavily linked with a return to Rangers, where he spent the early years of his career before joining Livingston in 2018.

“He has been an excellent player to work with, who on top of performing on the pitch, has been a leader behind the scenes,” manager Stuart Kettlewell told the Well website.

“He has ensured every player has been welcomed and enjoyed being in the dressing room. He moves on with our best wishes.”

Motherwell also clarified that they remain in contract negotiations with Matty Connelly, Stephen O’Donnell, Bevis Mugabi, Callum Slattery and Sam Nicholson.