Livingston free-kick ace's hard yards hailed as example to follow for youngsters

David Martindale says Stephen Kelly’s stunning free-kick finish against St Johnstone is a perfect example of hard work paying off and told kids and parents to take note.

The 23-year-old bagged his fifth goal of the campaign - and first directly from a free-kick - with a perfect 25-yard strike that gave Remi Matthews no chance as it clipped the inside of the post.

The gaffer says it’s a direct result of the hours upon hours spent on the training ground by the former Rangers youth product.

He commented: “That’s not just something that happens naturally. Stephen puts a lot of hours in on that on a weekly basis. He puts a lot of time and effort into honing that skill. It’s an example for any youngsters or parents who have seen the goal.”

He added: “I had a wee bit of a dig at him actually because on his last game for Scotland under-21s he scored a similar goal and I kept saying ‘when am I going to see this?”.

“It was an incredible hit. When it hits the inside of the post, the keeper has absolutely no chance.”

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