Former Arsenal academy midfielder Glen Kamara has been a hit with Rangers so far, and his former boss at Dundee FC thinks he’ll end up back in the Premier League someday.
Kamara joined Arsenal in 2012 from Southend United, spending the following five years with the club and even making his first-team debut in the League Cup. After a couple of loans back at Southend and with Colchester United, the midfielder ended up leaving on a permanent deal to Dundee.
After a year and a half of development, Kamara was impressing enough for Rangers to decide to sign him in January. Since then, the 23-year-old has made 14 appearances (13 starts), and he’s really making a good impression.
Rangers have won all of their last five games with Kamara in the team, ever since they decided to bench him against Celtic. Leaving him out was a mistake they haven’t made again in Sunday’s derby, naming him in the starting eleven this time.
Dundee boss Neil McCann was full of praise for the former Gunner when he spoke to The Scottish Mail on Sunday.
“If you asked Scott Arfield, Ryan Jack and young McCrorie if Glen would be the type to make them play better then, I think, they’d say yes,” McCann said. “Maybe it has allowed them to do more things and do them well for the team.
“Glen is great at seeing a pass and once he builds up an understanding with someone, they can enjoy that. You have only to look at that pass of his against Hearts — one perfect touch through for Jermain Defoe to score.”
“He doesn’t let any pressure get to him. That’s why he comes across so brave and comfortable taking the ball. I wanted him to play in front of my back four (at Dundee) and he suited me. And I’m sure Glen would say that platform was perfect for him. He looks small but he’s strong and he’s a playmaker.
“When Rangers signed Glen, I sat there thinking he would smash it. Glen will end up back in the English Premier League. I’ve no doubts about that.”
It’s always positive to see a player coming through the Arsenal academy and finding somewhere they can reach their potential. Hopefully, that’s the case for Kamara at Rangers.