View: Rangers ace surely set for heartbreak as Rohl dilemma emerges ahead of Celtic clash

Liam Kelly looks set to face disappointment when Rangers take on Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Ibrox this weekend.

Kelly is set to become a free agent at the end of this season, with the 30-year-old’s two-year contract set to expire.

Having joined the Ibrox outfit from Motherwell in the summer of 2024, the goalkeeper has gone on to play 13 games in all competitions.

Kelly has been a perfectly capable back-up, with his last appearance coming in the 8-0 fourth-round demolition of Queen’s Park in January.

Although he could continue his starting run in the Scottish Cup, Danny Rohl has a huge dilemma on his hands, as he may consider using Jack Butland for the must-win match.

• Read more: John Souttar axed by Danny Rohl in two changes – Rangers predicted XI vs Celtic

Danny Rohl likely to favour Jack Butland over Liam Kelly in Rangers vs Celtic

While the cup would ordinarily pave the way for some of the squad players to impress, Rangers can’t afford to lose against their bitter rivals.

That’s not to say that Kelly has been disappointing when he has featured, but it’s clear that he will be rusty in between the sticks.

With Rangers slipping further behind Hearts in the Scottish Premiership title race, Rohl needs to do whatever it takes to win a trophy in his first year.

The Scottish Cup could represent their best chance of winning silverware, which means that the German head coach may not rotate much of the side that drew to Celtic last weekend.

This would be terrible for Kelly, who may have already played his last game for Rangers and might not be trusted to play in the latter stages of the competition.

Butland will obviously be the biggest beneficiary, but that could be a risky call in its own way.

• Read more: Jack Butland won’t be feeling Liam Kelly heat at Rangers – here’s why

Why Rohl will also have some worries over Butland

Butland is a hugely polarising figure among the fans, but it’s a fact that he has been phenomenal at times this campaign.

He has saved four penalties in the Scottish Premiership, and in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Celtic, he produced a phenomenal double save from Reo Hatate, before the Japan international eventually scored the equaliser.

However, he has made three errors leading to goals, and it’s clear that he isn’t well-equipped to play the ball out from the back.

This has gradually become a hindrance in big matches, which shows that the Bears need a new goalkeeper if they want to improve as a team in possession.

Against Celtic’s high press, both Kelly and Butland could fall short of what’s required in goal, and Rohl definitely has a big choice to make.

Ultimately, he’ll probably choose to play Butland, but it could be a big risk.

For more in-depth analysis of the Gers, visit Football Insider and have a look at their coverage.

The post View: Rangers ace surely set for heartbreak as Rohl dilemma emerges ahead of Celtic clash appeared first on Ibrox News.