Why Rangers should prioritise a new deal for Glen Kamara

According to The Scotsman, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has hinted at a potential contract extension for star midfielder Glen Kamara. The manager has outlined his desire to tie down the core of his first-team players to new deals, with the Liverpool legend laying special emphasis on Kamara’s situation after his impressive start to the season. 

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Born in Tampere, Finland, to parents of Sierra Leonean descent, Glen Kamara started his footballing education in the youth ranks of Southend United in England before joining Arsenal’s academy back in 2012. Despite establishing himself as a key player for the U-23s, Kamara made only a solitary first-team appearance for the Gunners.

The Finnish international spent time on loan at Colchester United and Southend United before moving north of the border to join Dundee in the Scottish Premiership. Kamara made 65 appearances for Dundee in all competitions before securing a move to Rangers in January 2019.

The 24-year-old has since established himself as a key player for Rangers under Gerrard, accumulating 2 goals and 3 assists in 68 appearances across all competitions. Kamara represented Finland at U-19 and U-21 levels before making his senior international debut in 2017 and has amassed 21 caps for his nation so far.

Kamara remains a key cog in Rangers’ midfield

Glen Kamara has been an almighty bargain for Rangers considering that they paid a ridiculously low £50,000 to secure his services from Dundee last year. The Finnish enforcer has not only established himself as one of the mainstays of the club’s midfield unit but has also carved out a reputation for himself as one of the most effective defensive midfielders in Scotland.

That he has already made close to 70 appearances in just more than a season-and-a-half clearly epitomises his importance at Ibrox.

Kamara’s meteoric rise under Gerrard’s stewardship hasn’t eluded the eyes of the Premier League clubs. While Rangers have managed to keep the potential suitors at bay till now, they could find it difficult to keep him at the club if he continues to fire on all cylinders. 

To put things into perspective, a new deal for the 24-year-old should be high on Rangers’ agenda in the coming months. Kamara still has three years left to run on his existing contract but the midfielder certainly deserves to be offered fresh and improved terms based on his telling contribution to the team. 

A new long-term contract for Kamara would also put Rangers in a strong negotiating position if the midfielder falls on the radar of potential suitors. 

Read more

• Why Dan Glazer to Rangers would bolster their midfield
• Why Rangers should continue their pursuit of Patrik Hrosovsky

Verdict

Rangers have shown plenty of intent in the transfer window ever since the appointment of Gerrard in 2018. While adding fresh faces to the squad is important to keep progressing in the right direction, the Gers also need to make sure they retain the services of their existing core of first-team stars. 

Suffice to say, Glen Kamara remains an indispensable cog in Rangers midfield cavalry. With his best years still ahead of him, a new deal for the Finland international would be a shrewd piece of business.