Liam Kelly insists Rangers transfer risk IS worth second choice gamble as he pulls out Zander Clark case study

Liam Kelly insists clinching his Rangers return was worth sacrificing the Motherwell captaincy, regular action and potentially his Scotland place.

The former academy kid is back at Ibrox six years after he left. The 28-year-old knows he’s giving up a lot as he prepares to act as understudy to Gers undisputed No1 Jack Butland. But the former Well skipper believes having an even outside shot at starting for Philippe Clement’s side merits his huge gamble.

Kelly - speaking after joining up with his new team-mates at their Dutch training base in Venlo - said: “When you leave you don’t really think there is going to be that opportunity to come back. I’m delighted to be here. Being at a club like Motherwell, who did so well for me, and then a club like Rangers come in for you it is difficult to say no. You can’t say no, can you?

“I’m buzzing to be here. It’s a club I know really well. I spent half my life here and half not here. I’m so happy to be back and I am looking forward to it. When you leave you think it’s not going to happen again. When the club comes calling, you are over the moon, so happy, buzzing. It is quite surreal to be back.

“You are giving up a lot, especially with how well big Jack played last year. Everyone knows he was the best goalkeeper in the league last year, hands down. But you are one person away from playing in Old Firm games, one person away from European games. I’m not in any position to knock back that chance.

"I’m here for two years as well so I will still be young when my contract finishes. Hopefully it goes to plan and I can be here for much longer than that. There will still be opportunities for me to go and play if I need to but there’s nowhere else I would rather be.”

Kelly missed the first