The underrated impact of Scotland's back-shaving hype man

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Liam Kelly continues to have a positive influence on the Scotland squad despite having just three caps

ByNick McPheatBBC Sport Scotland

Published36 minutes ago

Liam Kelly looks perplexed after being told he has been singled out by some team-mates as Scotland's "hype man".

Then, a lightbulb moment.

"Aye, that happens naturally when you don't play a lot of games," he jokes. "You need to bring something to the party."

The 30-year-old, with three caps to his name, is World Cup-bound as Scotland's third-choice goalkeeper after playing three games for Rangers in the past season.

An injury crisis would need to occur for his handful of international appearances to increase in the United States, but his underrated influence in the squad does not go unnoticed.

"I don't do anything special," he tells BBC Scotland. "When the boys go into the game, I just want them to give it their full whack, know what I mean?

"Don't disappoint the opposition by bringing half measures - just go for it."

The 'most positive guy' & Hanley's back shaver

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'Liam Kelly is the most positive guy you will meet'

Discourse around squad selections can often get bogged down by people demanding that players who are playing and in form must be picked.

But is there enough said about having a lad who will be relentless in bringing vibes to the group?

"Liam's in there because he's a very good third goalkeeper," said head coach Steve Clarke.

What does that actually mean, though?

The Scotland boss adds: "He's good around the squad" - tick - "his character's good" - tick - "the players respect him" - tick - and "he works ever so hard in camp" - tick.

Oh, and he apparently "shaves Grant Hanley's back", according to Kenny McLean. For the sake of Kelly - and our imaginations - we can all hope that is a joke.

McLean also told BBC Scotland that Rangers' back-up goalkeeper is the "most positive guy you will meet".

Perhaps the red-tinted sunglasses he wears at night to help replenish his melatonin have something to do with that.

Scotland's Claudia Winkleman?

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'Liam Kelly shaves Grant Hanley's back'

When Norwich midfielder McLean scored that goal against Denmark in November, Kelly was one of the first to empty the Scotland bench and lead the chasing pack.

He shares a strong bond with the 34-year-old and other senior figures within the group, such as Andy Robertson. He sits beside the captain on international commutes.

Nobody has a bad word to say about the former Motherwell player and optimism just always seems to be oozing out of him despite two seasons of limited minutes.

Game time was not a problem at Fir Park, where Kelly was first choice for four years before moving back to Rangers, where he started his career as a young prospect.

Long-time pal and former team-mate Andy Halliday played with him at both clubs.

He remembers Kelly's impact in the Motherwell dressing room, controlling fines, organising days out and running a Traitors-like card game, which some of the Scotland squad got involved in during Sunday's long-haul flight to the US.

"That's just his way of making sure everyone bonds together," Halliday tells BBC Scotland.

At Rangers, his first impressions of the then teenage Kelly were his character standing out despite his age. "Typical Glasgow boy, gallus," he adds.

The fact Kelly's three closest mates at Ibrox at that time - Halliday, Lee Wallace and Kenny Miller - were all of an older age told the former midfielder a lot about his personality.

And Halliday is in no doubt that the goalkeeper's nature will be having a positive impact among the Scotland squad, even if time on the park will inevitably be restricted.

"He's opinionated in a good way, whether he's playing or not," Halliday tells BBC Scotland. "Experienced players will go to Liam and have chats around the game.

"Liam will accept himself his role won't involve many minutes on the pitch. A lot of it will involve what he can bring off the pitch."