KAMBERI HAS HIS FLO JO BACK
SERGIO PORRINI can’t wait to see Aberdeen striker Florian Kamberi finally pull on an Albania shirt in this month’s World Cup qualifiers.
Former Rangers stopper Porrini is now assistant to Albanian boss Edoardo Reja and they have clashes looming with Andorra, England and San Marino.
Despite being called up a couple of times, Swissborn Kamberi has yet to play for Albania due to a combination of injuries and Covid restrictions.
But he’s in the latest squad and should finally make his international bow.
Porrini admitted: “We have waited a long time for Florian. We first tried to get him almost two years ago.
“I went to Scotland when he was still at Hibs. He came to our squad but had an injury and then he went back to Scotland.
“He moved to St Gallen in Switzerland and then there were all the Covid-19
BY SCOTT BURNS problems across Europe and we couldn’t call him up. Now finally we will see Florian on the pitch with an Albania shirt on.”
The Italian is delighted Kamberi has been playing regularly at Pittodrie after leaving St Gallen on loan in search of more game time.
He has still to get off the mark for the Dons but the striker has impressed.
Porrini said: “Since he moved to Aberdeen he is playing in every game which is good for Florian and ourselves. We need players who are fit and have 90 minutes in their legs.
“It is good Florian is up to speed because with the national team you don’t get a lot of time to work with the players and the team.
“It is all about preparing them for the next game and nothing else really. “
Porrini reckons the hitman will bring something different to the Albanian squad. Kamberi
also has toplevel European experience which could be vital.
Porrini said: “We have looked closely at all the players we have available and Florian is different to the other strikers.
“We really need his skill and movement – he will give us something different.
“If he comes in and plays the way we know he can then he could really improve us. When he is given space to attack it is difficult for defenders to stop him.
“The coach and I have followed him for several years and our expectations of him are very high.”
The showcase game for Albania is England at Wembley but Porrini said: “The first match is Andorra and that is the most important one for us.
“England are a top team with some great players but the first match is Andorra and we want a win.”