Motherwell boss unsurprised by interest in Kelly

Motherwell's Liam Kelly during a cinch Premiership match between Rangers and Motherwell at Ibrox Stadium, on March 02, 2024, in Glasgow, ScotlandImage source, SNS
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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell says he is not surprised his "top drawer" goalkeeper and captain Liam Kelly is attracting interest but wants to keep him at the club.

Kelly, 28, is in the final month of his deal at Fir Park and Celtic are reported to have added the Scotland international to their list of summer targets.

When asked about potential interest from the Scottish Premiership leaders, Kettlewell replied talks with other clubs has "not been on the agenda" with Kelly.

"That's certainly nothing I've spoken to Liam about," the Motherwell boss said.

Kelly has played 40 times for Motherwell this season, and also made his Scotland debut in a 4-1 friendly defeat by France last October, where he shared a half each with Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark.

The former Queens Park Rangers and Livingston keeper will be among those competing for three likely spots in Scotland's Euro 2024 squad.

Celtic, meanwhile, are set to lose number one Joe Hart to retirement at the end of the season, while back-ups Scott Bain and Benjamin Siegrist could also leave.

"What wouldn't surprise me is a goalkeeper of his stature and standing attracting interest, but Liam is someone I would love to keep at the football club," Kettlewell added.

"But there are a number of factors that come into that. It could be a big summer for him so we need to wait and see how that goes."