Dens new boy admits a Finnish cap would be sweet on his homecoming
Glen Kamara admits a second senior call- up to the Finland squad is a sweet reward for his early-season form at Dundee.
And the 21-year-old midfielder intends to savour a return to his homeland both on and off the pitch by stocking up on the tasty treats he has craved since a kid.
Kamara is hoping to land his first cap after being included in Markku Kanerva’s squad for their World Cup double-header against Iceland and Kosovo.
With qualification beyond the national team, Saturday’s home clash with Iceland will give him a chance to stake a claim as the future of his national team.
But Kamara is also hoping a trip to the country he called home for the first 12 years of his life allows him to delve back into the past after pining for the pastries he grew up on.
The ex-Arsenal youngster, who arrived at Dens last month, said: “I’m honoured to get called up again. It’s great to be recognised for what I’ve done here.
“I came here to get regular games and show what I can do. Now I just have to carry that on.
“I was born in Finland and lived there until I was 12. I lived with my parents in a place called Espoo. They moved there from Sierra Leone before I was born.
“It was good growing up there. I miss it sometimes but I miss the food most – I’m a big foodie.
“I love Finnish bread and pastries and my favourite dish is called makaronilaatikko, which is quite hard to say. It’s a pasta and meat dish.
“In my first few years after
moving away from Finland I went back for Christmas but after that it has only really been for call-ups.
“I don’t have any family left there but still feel Finnish. I was born there, I speak the language fluently, so it’s my home. I haven’t been back in a couple of years so I’m looking forward to it.
“I’m going to stock up on bread and definitely sweets!” Although capped at Under- 19 and Under-21 level, Kamara’s only other full call-up came two years ago as an unused sub in a 2- 0 friendly defeat to Estonia.
However, he has started all but one of Dundee’s games this season and is expected to be a key player again today against Hibs as Neil McCann’s men chase their first Premiership points.
Kamara said: “I’m happy with how things are going here. The results haven’t been what we wanted as a team but personally I’m quite happy.
“I haven’t seen Hibs yet – I only know them from what the manager has said. But the league is good. It’s played at a good pace and there is some tough tackling, which I like. Nothing about it has sprung up and made me think, ‘Oh my god!’”