Liam Kelly Celtic transfer interest addressed by Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell

Stuart Kettlewell admits he'd love to keep Liam Kelly at Motherwell despite Celtic transfer links ahead of the summer window.

The Hoops are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper with Joe Hart set to retire at the end of the season and Ben Siegrist planning to leave the club. That saw Brendan Rodgers' name thrown in as an admirer of the Scotland cap and now his manager has been asked to address the speculation regarding the 29-year-old who is out of contract at the end of this campaign.

Kelly has been a standout for the Steelmen since he arrived from QPR on an initial loan in 2021 and Kettlewell understands why clubs are likely to be sniffing around him.

However, the boss would prefer to hang onto his stopper who he believes has been "top drawer" at Fir Park.

"You've possibly got a wee bit more information than I have, it's certainly nothing I've spoken with Liam about and I do generally speak to him on a daily basis," Kettlewell said on the rumour. "I've trusted Liam and rightfully so, you look at his performances, the numbers he bashes out every season, his availability, his leadership has to go in there.

"How good a goalkeeper he is, not just with his feet but his hands as well, I think he's top drawer. What wouldn't surprise me of a goalkeeper of his stature and standing attracting interest but again he'd be someone I'd love to keep at the football club.

"I'd love to retain him but there's a number of factors that come into that. It could hopefully be a big summer for him potentially as well and we obviously need to wait and see how that goes, but interest from other clubs is not something that's been on the agenda list."