STEPHEN KELLY has vowed to keep working hard at Rangers despite knowing his Ibrox career is coming to an end.
The midfielder's contract is up in a year's time and the Ibrox club are willing to listen to both loan and permanent offers this window.
Kelly, 22, has enjoyed loan spells with Ross County and Salford City recently and has ensured he will continue to fight until the day he finally does leave Govan for good.
He told The Sun: “I met with the manager, Ross and my agent, and they felt I had done well on loan, but didn’t feel I’d get regular game time here.
“The gaffer thought it was best for my development to go on loan and keep playing, or if an offer comes in before the window closes to look at that as well.
“It was tough to hear that it was coming to an end after so many years.
“Once the dust settles, though, you think about the future and everyone wants to play football.
“When I was at Salford I spoke to Rangers about how I was doing and they said it was going well.
“But I felt when I went there this conversation was probably going to happen.
“I’d gone to Ross County the year before, came back and did well in pre-season, but I never got an opportunity.
“Logic tells you the chance probably won’t come your way and I went to Salford.
“You hope if you do well it might change — and I did well there.
“I came back to Rangers, worked hard in pre-season again, but the gaffer was honest with me and I appreciate that.
“I have a contract and I’ll work hard every day I’m here to try to catch the manager’s eye. I won’t be downing tools because it’s coming to an end.
“As long as I’m at Rangers, I’ll do as well as I possibly can.”
Asked if there had been any interest so far, Kelly responded: “I’ve enjoyed all three loan spells. I learned something from all of them and they made me a better player.
“I’ve been playing with the B team recently so I’m still match fit.
“I’m happy to listen to any offers. It’s about finding the right fit for me and a place where I can play and enjoy it.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here