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Gary Holt: 'Liam Kelly must think about his long-term career'

Gary Holt: 'Liam Kelly must think about his long-term career'
© Reuters
The 23-year-old goalkeeper has kept 16 clean sheets this season.

Livingston manager Gary Holt believes Liam Kelly must think carefully about what is best for his long-term career after the goalkeeper was linked with a summer move.

Celtic, Hamburg and a host of Sky Bet Championship clubs were reported to be monitoring Kelly's situation amid claims he has a £50,000 release clause in his two-year contract.

But Holt revealed Livingston were in talks over a contract extension for the 23-year-old, who rejoined the Ladbrokes Premiership newcomers last summer from Rangers after an earlier loan spell.

The Livi boss said he has not "heard a thing" from other clubs and was not fearing losing his number one, who has kept 16 clean sheets this season.

"We are prepared to lose everybody," Holt said. "If you are playing at this level and showcasing your talents and getting recognition, then any club will come calling.

"If you look at the best players in the world, Eden Hazard at Chelsea, suddenly Real Madrid want him. I'm sure Chelsea don't want to lose him but that's what happens when you are playing really well at your club: people take notice.

"So we will wait and see. He is under contract, the club are talking to him regarding a new one, and we will see how it plays out.

"But players will leave, that's part and parcel of the game, so I'm not really that concerned by it."

However, Holt feels Kelly should carefully consider any offer that might come his way this summer.

"I've always said that teams only want your good players," Holt said. "So it shows what Liam is doing. But he is playing football and he has only played 30-odd games at this level.

"So it's something Liam will have to weigh up as well. He has got to think about what's best for his career.

"He took the choice to come here because he wanted to play, so he will want to continue that. You don't want to take a knock in your career by going somewhere maybe as a number two fighting for the number one."

Holt added: "You want boys who are willing to put themselves above the parapet and play men's football.

"He could have stayed at Rangers. I'm sure other boys could stay at clubs and pick up money but not play, not have a career.

"If you come here you will get a chance to play football if you are good enough and want to work hard enough.

"Liam has done that but he knows he needs to keep doing that to improve."


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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool37297187226594
2Manchester CityMan City36302490226892
3Chelsea37218863392471
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs372311365372870
5Arsenal372071070502067
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd37199965521366
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37169124744357
8Everton37158145244853
9Leicester CityLeicester36156155147451
10Watford37148155155-450
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham37147164854-649
12Crystal Palace37137174650-446
13Bournemouth37136185365-1245
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle37119173848-1042
15Burnley37117194465-2140
16Southampton37911174464-2038
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3799193456-2236
RCardiff CityCardiff3794243269-3731
RFulham3775253477-4326
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3736282175-5415

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