When Norwich midfielder McLean scored that goal against Denmark in November, Kelly was one of the first to empty the Scotland bench and lead the chasing pack.
He shares a strong bond with the 34-year-old and other senior figures within the group, such as Andy Robertson. He sits beside the captain on international commutes.
Nobody has a bad word to say about the former Motherwell player and optimism just always seems to be oozing out of him despite two seasons of limited minutes.
Game time was not a problem at Fir Park, where Kelly was first choice for four years before moving back to Rangers, where he started his career as a young prospect.
Long-time pal and former team-mate Andy Halliday played with him at both clubs.
He remembers Kelly’s impact in the Motherwell dressing room, controlling fines, organising days out and running a Traitors-like card game, which some of the Scotland squad got involved in during Sunday’s long-haul flight to the US.
“That’s just his way of making sure everyone bonds together,” Halliday tells BBC Scotland.
At Rangers, his first impressions of the then teenage Kelly were his character standing out despite his age. “Typical Glasgow boy, gallus,” he adds.
The fact Kelly’s three closest mates at Ibrox at that time – Halliday, Lee Wallace and Kenny Miller – were all of an older age told the former midfielder a lot about his personality.
And Halliday is in no doubt that the goalkeeper’s nature will be having a positive impact among the Scotland squad, even if time on the park will inevitably be restricted.
“He’s opinionated in a good way, whether he’s playing or not,” Halliday tells BBC Scotland. “Experienced players will go to Liam and have chats around the game.
“Liam will accept himself his role won’t involve many minutes on the pitch. A lot of it will involve what he can bring off the pitch.”
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