Livingston boss David Martindale keen to keep Sean Kelly at club next season

Sean Kelly will be offered a new deal by Livingston despite not triggering the automatic clause in his contract.

The 28-year-old has started just five league games during his first year in West Lothian but played a starring role as a central midfielder in Saturday’s draw with Motherwell.

Livi boss David Martindale hailed that performance and says the former St Mirren and Ross County man is now reaping the rewards of putting in the hard yards behind the scenes.

Martindale said: “Sean’s use of the ball is fantastic and he has a very, very good footballing brain. His range of passing is brilliant.

“Folk maybe don’t realise it but his knowledge and understanding of the game is right up there and I think he showed that on Saturday because I thought he was outstanding.

“He’s also the sort of person you want in the building. He’s an honest, hard-working professional and he’s got a great personality. He’s a lot like his brother (former Livi keeper Liam) who I have a great relationship with.”

He added: “He’s got a clause in his contract that would have triggered an extra year. He won’t meet that but I want Sean to be at the football club next season.

“He’s worked really hard behind the scenes to get fitter and bulk up which is going to help him and I think the coaching staff at the club can make him a better football player.

“He’s someone that I think can play in three positions for us - left-sided centre-back, left-back and like on Saturday he can play that holding midfield role and I think there’s room for improvement in his game.

“We’ll sit down with Sean soon and have a discussion but we want him to be at Livingston next season.”