Liam Kelly: Coventry duo could be answer to Scotland’s defensive problems

Sky Blues midfielder believes Dominic Hyam and Michael Rose deserve call-up
Coventry City's Liam Kelly, left, and Rangers' Glen Kamara battle for the ball during the pre-season friendly at Ibrox on Saturday. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA WireCoventry City's Liam Kelly, left, and Rangers' Glen Kamara battle for the ball during the pre-season friendly at Ibrox on Saturday. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Coventry City's Liam Kelly, left, and Rangers' Glen Kamara battle for the ball during the pre-season friendly at Ibrox on Saturday. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Coventry City could hold the key to Scotland’s central defensive problems, says the club’s midfielder Liam Kelly.

The 30-year-old former Kilmarnock performer has one cap himself, earned with a second-half run-out in a 2012 win away to Luxembourg under then Scotland caretaker Billy Stark.

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But Kelly believes it is the League One champions’ Scottish centre-back pairing of Dominic Hyam and Michael Rose who should be entering Steve Clarke’s immediate thinking.

It is understood the national manager had scouts run the rule on the two 23-year-olds – who joined Coventry from Ayr United a year ago – last season. Kelly maintains anyone watching them regularly would recognise they are ready to make the step up. The national team face nine internationals between September and November – a figure that will rise to ten if they come through their October Nations League semi-final at home to Israel as they bid for a first major finals since 1998.

“I would definitely say they are capable, as they had the best defensive record in the league last season,” he said.

“They were two that played near enough every single game, and won the league, so it is a natural progression for them. The Championship they are going into is one of the best leagues in Europe. You look at Rose, it is his first season down in England, while Dom is probably only his second or third full season playing, and they’ve been fantastic and only got better as the season went on.

“[When it comes to telling them what it is like to represent Scotland] I only played briefly, 45 minutes. But I’m sure if they get the opportunity, they’d love to. They have spoken about it and they would love to get the call-up and I think they deserve the call-up. It would be nice for them to get it.”

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