Liam Kelly explains why Rangers bench role eclipses Scotland dream

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Liam Kelly kept a clean sheet on his first start for Rangers this weekend.

The goalkeeper was essentially a passenger as Gers dominated Dundee in what was somehow only a 1-0 win for the hosts.

It was a comfortable afternoon for the club and Kelly described his Rangers debut as a dream come true having been umpteen years in the making.

The 28-year-old has been forced to bide his time behind number one Jack Butland in the pecking order.

• READ MORE: Philippe Clement in stern reaction to Rangers overtaking Aberdeen in Scottish Premiership

But after the Englishman had to rush away – as explained by Philippe Clement pre-match – Kelly was drafted in and looked comfortable and composed between the sticks.

It could have been different for the goalie, though, had he opted not to make the move from Motherwell earlier this year.

Although he insists he could never have turned down the club he loves.

But it has been somewhat bittersweet for the stopper who has unfortunately had to – in his own words – “give up” his other dream which has always been to consistently represent his country.

Liam Kelly made his ‘dream debut’ for Rangers after 20 years

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has not picked Kelly since he joined back up at Ibrox and his only cap came in a friendly vs France.

And when he weighed everything up back when the move was initially on, Kelly knew Rangers was the place for him to be even if it meant sitting on the bench.

For Kelly he would rather be a squad player for Gers than Scotland.

That is why he opted to make the return to Glasgow where he made his bow yesterday.

Why Kelly chose Rangers over Scotland

"I wasn’t playing for Scotland, so I wasn’t giving up playing,” Kelly explained.

“Me and Angus Gunn, who was the No1 at that time, are the same age. So if he’s going to be there and I’m not going to play, then do I give up?

"Do I say no to Rangers in the hope that I stay in a Scotland squad to sit and watch? I must say, I absolutely loved my time at Scotland.

“I would love to be back in the squad, I loved it — but I couldn’t say no to Rangers.

“I sat on the bench for a lot of games with Scotland, went to a major tournament, which I’m so grateful for. But I couldn’t say no to Rangers on the basis of being able to sit and watch Scotland."