Livingston boss David Martindale believes they’ve got a real talent on their hands in Stephen Kelly.
But he admits it will take a few months for the ex-Rangers man to show the Livi faithful his best because the 22-year-old will need to put in the hours at the gym first.
The former Scotland under-21 international was the only deadline day move either in or out of the Tony Macaroni Arena last week and he made his debut for his new club as a late substitute in Saturday’s win over Hearts.
The midfield ace, who has enjoyed loan spells at Ayr United, Ross County and Salford City, arrives from the Ibrox club for a small undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.
Rangers retain a sell-on percentage as part of the transfer.
Martindale commented: “I put him on and straight under a wee bit of pressure with a free-kick when he’s not touched a ball.
“It was actually a fantastic delivery and big Kurtis Guthrie got on the end of it with a diving header albeit he was offside.
“I was happy with his performance. The three midfielders are all very tenacious and put in a power of work but they were all on yellow cards so it was a bit of a toss up who to bring off.
“I don’t like changing the midfield positions because maybe in the flow of the game the new guy doesn’t pick up the space or is in the wrong area.”
He added: “He pressed the ball when it went back to their centre-halves and I think you’re really going to see him grow with us over the next six months.
“I’m going to get as much game time into him as I can but I’m going to do a lot of gym work with him and a wee bit of coaching. I think we’re going to have a fantastic footballer on our hands.”
Kelly became the ninth new arrival over the course of the summer window, joining goalkeepers Shamal George and Jack Hamilton, defenders Jamie Brandon and Phillip Cancar, midfielder Scott Bitsindou and forwards Dylan Bahamboula, Esmael Goncalves and Kurtis Guthrie.
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