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Keeper Kelly shuts out Bilbao but Rangers boss insists Butland still has big part to play Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By JOHN MCGARRY and KEVIN MCKENNA Published: 19:18 EDT, 10 April 2025 | Updated: 19:26 EDT, 10 April 2025 e-mail View comments Liam Kelly fully justified his manager’s decision to select him ahead of Jack Butland — saving a late penalty to keep Athletic Bilbao at bay on a dramatic night of Europa League action at Ibrox. Forced to play for 77 minutes a man light following Robin Propper’s dismissal, Barry Ferguson’s side refused to yield even when Dujon Sterling’s injury saw them finish the first leg of this quarter-final with nine men. And a heroic effort was exemplified by Kelly saving Alex Berenguer’s penalty in the 79th minute — just moments after the substitute thought he’d opened the scoring in a bizarre period of play which saw his effort initially given, then ruled out for offside before then receiving a spot-kick courtesy of a Sterling handball.
After the 0-0 draw, Kelly said: ‘I never actually had much to do in the game. Once we went down to 10 men the guys in front of me were absolutely brilliant. 'We didn’t really know what was happening [after Bilbao scored] and then all of a sudden you hear “penalty”.
I just wanted to help the team, I don’t really care about me.’ Ferguson, meanwhile, was adamant that Butland still has a future at the club despite being dropped in favour of Kelly. Goalkeeper Liam Kelly celebrates keeping a clean sheet against Athletic Bilbao at Ibrox Kelly saves Alex Berenguer's penalty in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final Rangers boss Barry Ferguson had to reshuffle his side after Robin Propper was sent off ‘It was one of the toughest things I’ve had to do,’ he stressed.
‘Firstly, I think Jack Butland is a top goalkeeper. Secondly, I’ve got a very, very good relationship with Jack. ‘I’ve known Jack a long time.
He was a young kid coming through Birmingham when I went down to play for Birmingham in the Premier League. 'Thirdly, I’ve got to know it’s hurting Jack and I’ve got to be mindful of that as well. Because I care for him.
‘I just had to make a decision and it was a tough decision when I spoke to him. I could see it was hurting. ‘It’s not one that I decided on Saturday night or Sunday.
I thought long and hard about it. When I spoke to him, it was a tough 10-15 minute conversation. ‘But, listen, Jack’s still got a huge part to play here.
In terms of Liam coming in, I thought he did well tonight.’ Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport Advertisement Although Ferguson knows the Basques will be fancied to complete the job at home next Thursday, he feels the spirit his side showed should fuel a belief that they can yet progress to the semi-finals. ‘I’m really proud of the effort and the commitment that my players showed,’ he said.
‘It’s difficult when you go down to 10 men. ‘They had a couple of chances like every very good team is going to have against you, but I thought we defended really well. ‘We’re still in the tie.
The tie is there for us to go in and try and get through to the semi-finals.’ Ferguson got the reaction he desired after the weekend loss to Hibs but stressed standards couldn’t now be allowed to slip. ‘Yeah, I’m not happy with one game,’ he added.
‘I’m delighted for them and I’m proud of them. ‘Standing on the touchline was a totally different feeling I had from Saturday. I felt empty on Saturday.
But standing there at the side, I was proud.’ Ferguson said he’d no issue with the decision to belatedly show Propper a red card. ‘I can see the reason why the referee gave the red card,’ he said.
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