RYDC: Stephen Kelly Has Impressed During His Loan Spell

The 21-year-old, who enjoyed a positive spell at Ayr Utd last season, has featured regularly since John Hughes was named manager in December and the former Falkirk boss has praised Stephen’s work ethic, attitude and willingness to learn since he took the job.

Ross County were bottom of the table when Hughes was appointed but they moved up to 10th with a 2-0 victory at Dundee Utd last weekend and have a three point lead over bottom club Hamilton Accies, who they play next midweek.

They conclude the 2020/21 campaign with an away game at Motherwell the following weekend and Stephen says he is relishing the prospect of playing a part in such important games for his loan club.

Speaking as he helped promote The Rangers Youth Development Company – who have provided more than £9 million to the Rangers Academy since 2002 – he told us: “Hamilton is a massive game for us next week and we need to win that one. I always look forward to playing games that have a lot riding on them and I think matches like that can bring the best out of you.

“There will be a bit of added pressure as it’s such an important game but I have been playing regularly and when you do it gives you more confidence.

“These games will probably bring the best out of the players as everybody knows a place in the top league is at stake.

“For Ross County staying in the division was the first target and we can still do that.

“If we can avoid the play-offs and stay up that would be a big achievement for me and the rest of the boys. Beating Dundee Utd was a big result for us, we needed it and it puts things back in our own hands.

“There are two games left and hopefully we can kick on after the result at Tannadice last weekend.

“It has been a difficult season for the team but I have managed to play a lot of games after a frustrating start.

“The games I have played in, either the league or the cup, has really benefitted me and I am learning a different side of my game.

“I enjoyed my time at Ayr Utd last season too. We were a team on the front foot and winning a lot of games in the Championship.

“It is a different challenge at Ross County as sometimes we are under a lot of pressure in games and I have found a different way to play.

“It is about adapting to different situations and this loan has really added a lot to my game.

“It has obviously been a bit different living away from home for the first time and doing that during a pandemic has made it a bit more difficult but overall this has been a great experience for me.

“On the pitch this loan spell has brought on the defensive side of my game a lot – my positioning and picking up second balls.

“It has also tested my mentality a lot. From the start of the season until now there have been a lot of challenges but I have managed to come out the other side a lot stronger so this experience has been really beneficial for me overall.

“Ayr was perfect for me last season as it really suited my game at that time, this year has been different but it has made me a better player as I have learned another side of the game.”

Stephen played a key role as Ross County beat Celtic 2-0 at Parkhead in the League Cup earlier this season and was a top performer in February as they beat them again in the league.

The young midfielder says he learned so much by featuring in these high-profile games and was also delighted to see Steven Gerrard’s side secure a fine 4-1 win at Ibrox on Sunday.

He continued: “The two wins against Celtic were really enjoyable but the win at Parkhead was probably my favourite one. Just the way the team played and managed to win was just a perfect performance.

“We had to concede a lot of possession but we were still a threat going forward and it was a great result.

“We then beat Celtic at home in the league and that was also a great experience. Playing in games like that is so beneficial for my development and you can’t buy that experience.

“It was also great to see Rangers beating Celtic at the weekend.

“It has been a very good season for Rangers, winning the league and playing so well in Europe.

“Steven Davis has been outstanding this season and he was great again at the weekend. What a career he has had. He just oozes class.

“He plays differently to the first time he was at Rangers, he is a more complete player and the experiences he has had throughout his career is incredible.

“He has played so many international matches and games in the top league in England and has enjoyed an unbelievable career.

“I can learn from watching guys like him and also Allan McGregor.

“He was a Rangers Academy player too and went out on loan to develop his game and is now back at the club winning trophies and I can learn from his experience, even though he is a goalkeeper.

“I am doing the same and following the same loan path so hopefully I can come back a better player.

“I can definitely look up to players like Allan and Steven but also young players like Nathan Patterson.

“Nathan has done very well since he came into the team this season. Obviously he had to wait for his chance as Tav is the captain and is such a consistent player but when he got his chance he took it.

“He has not put a foot wrong in any of the games he has played and even got an important goal in a big European game so seeing how well he has taken to life as a first team player really encourages me.

“Hopefully I can get a chance and do something similar in the future. I will keep working as hard as I can to try and make that happen.

“I first joined Rangers when I was 7 or 8 and I remember my time at the Rangers Academy in great detail. It has been a fantastic journey for me and I have loved it.

“I have learned so much from the staff at the Academy. My first coaches were Jim McNee and Robin Gibson then I have learned from Alan Boyd, Billy Kirkwood, Malky Thomson, Ally Dawson and Graeme Murty.

“All these guys have really helped me develop and have a different way of working so it is good to learn from different people.

“I know RYDC donate a lot of money to the Rangers Academy every year and young players like me really benefit from their support.

“When you are trying to break in at a club like Rangers I don’t think people realise how hard it is. There are a lot of steps you have to take. I have gone out on loan to work hard and put the yards in and hopefully I can keep improving and see where it takes me.

“Obviously my goal is to get games with Rangers but that is up to the manager and the coaching staff.

“I just need to come back for pre-season, work as hard as I can and try and impress then see where that takes me. But I have two big games left for Ross County and I am really looking forward to them.”

Annual Rangers Youth Development Company donations make a positive difference to players like Stephen and Nathan Patterson. More than £9 million has been provided and the latest donation was another £450,000 in January.

For full details on RYDC and their products - which include Rangers Lotto, Rangers Pools, Rangers Quiz, The Union Jackpot, Scratchcards and Stadium Bricks - visit www.rydc.co.uk or call 0141 427 4914.