For young players, it takes a lot to break into the Rangers’ first team on a regular basis.
That is a familiar understatement.
Stephen Kelly came through at a time when the Steven Gerrard revolution was in its formative stage.
Many players featured in the early days under the charismatic Rangers leader, but they would not be part of the squad that would eventually secure the club’s 55th league title in 2021.
That description also applies to Kelly, who is now plying his trade – and loving life – in The Golden State.
Stephen Kelly living the American Dream
The 26-year-old plays for USL outfit Orange County in the second tier of ‘soccer’ in the United States.
In a recent interview, the Rangers academy graduate spoke fondly of his football upbringing at Auchenhowie, as well as his experiences in senior football at Ayr United, Ross County, Livingston, and Salford City.
His most productive period was in West Lothian at Livi, but Kelly relished working under Gerrard and learning from some fine midfielders at Ibrox.
It was known that Gerrard admired the character and tenacity of the diminutive midfielder, having made the following comment about an aborted loan plan:
“We’ve decided to keep Stephen around the group. We feel his loan opportunities, with all due respect, would have been better spent training alongside Steven Davis, Glen Kamara, Joe Aribo and testing himself against that level of player.”
Totally different way of living
Stephen Kelly was handed his Rangers debut by Gerrard in September 2018, but despite coming close, no real further opportunities came his way.
With 200 first-team appearances under his belt from football in the UK, Kelly now has a fresh outlook, on and off the pitch.
In a wide-ranging interview, he told RYDC:
“To say California is massive is probably an understatement but it is a fantastic place to live and play football.
“It’s just a totally different way of living. You get sun every day, there are beaches close by and I feel at home here.
“I joined in June and it has been a pretty smooth transition.
“Initially I had a few issues in terms of the sun and dehydration but other than that, it has been pretty good.”
