Ibrox View: Rangers have key reasons to hand 'excellent' star new deal if Barry Ferguson's contract leak is true

Liam Kelly is rumoured to have been handed a new Rangers contract.

The suggestions come after Barry Ferguson seemingly let slip that the veteran Gers star had already been given new terms while speaking on Five Stars VIP earlier this week.

The former Bears boss said that he thinks Kelly has been given an extra year’s stay at Ibrox, though no official announcement has yet been made.

The goalkeeper has been on the backseat in Glasgow, with Jack Butland still Danny Rohl’s firm number one choice.

However, there are multiple key reasons why Rangers may extend Kelly’s contract, despite the goalkeeper now into his thirties.

This is why Liam Kelly needs to stay for one more season

Tom Miller was also of the impression that Kelly has been given a new deal by Rangers, which suggests that it may only be a matter of time before it’s announced.

The 30-year-old has only played twice this season, but it’s no wonder that there’s been a lack of fuss surrounding the goalkeeper department.

Kelly’s role at Rangers is that he’s clearly there to offer support for Butland. Not many shot-stoppers his age would be happy to be at a club just to push another man on ahead of him.

Considering the keeper still has miles left on the tank, he could be elsewhere playing first-team football, pushing for a spot back in Scotland’s national team.

But he’s clearly settled with the Bears, and even still, if Butland were to suffer an injury, Kelly is a trustworthy deputy who doesn’t cost the 49ers much to keep around.

Kenny Miller called Kelly “excellent”, as quoted by BBC Sport in 2018, as he hailed the former Livingston goalkeeper for his modern-day ability almost eight years ago.

The keeper still has quality with the ball at his feet, and matches up fairly similar to the qualities that Butland already offers Rohl.

This is when Rangers may look at upgrading goalkeeper department

The Bears should already feel like they’re set with the current batch of keepers that they have at the club. Yes, Butland has got a few clangers in him, but he makes up for it with match-winning saves on a regular basis.

Kelly isn’t exactly the oldest dog either, and could be a trusted deputy for at least one more season.

On the whole, Rangers have other areas which are a cause for concern, particularly the defence that will lie in front of Butland and Kelly next season.

The Bears have multiple defenders leaving Ibrox in the summer, and that needs to be their priority, along with other midfield and attacking transfers.

The 2027-28 season could be the one where the 49ers conduct a full goalkeeping overhaul, with Kelly and Butland both leaving Ibrox then, upon the potential expiry of their contracts.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.