Downward trajectory points towards an exit
“He plays an integral role in our system and is vital to our style of play.”
Those were some of the words attributed to Steven Gerrard in the wake of Glen Kamara signing a long- term contract extension at Ibrox last September. Less than two months later, the Liverpool icon departed back to England to take on the challenge of managing Aston Villa.
Now almost exactly one year later, Gerrard finds himself out of work after an unsuccessful stint at Villa Park whilst Kamara cuts a forlorn figure at Rangers in a team devoid of a system or style under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The manager is under intense scrutiny and obvious pressure just now given the recent tribulations at Ibrox whilst it could be said that the overall vista is reflected in the situation of the usually acclaimed Finland international. Up, down, inconsistent, unconvincing – those terms can be used to describe Kamara so far this season as well as the collective Rangers effort, so what has gone wrong?
Under van Bronckhorst, the midfielder has struggled to nail down a defined role in his side. As with others, he has been used in different positions depending on the opposition or personnel available. Not only deployed in his usual protector role, including in Europe, the
27- year- old has found himself in a more advanced position as a No. 8 and even a No. 10 in some instances. As much as the evidence has suggested it’s not one most suited to his game, time and again the manager has given that brief to the player.
Notably, on one of those forward forays, it was Kamara who notched the second goal for Rangers in the very memorable Europa League semi- final second- leg victory over RB Leipzig last season. Just like the dynamics of the crowd and the team energy on those intoxicating nights, the sum added up to be greater than its parts.
Just prior to van Bronckhorst’s first and possibly only anniversary as the incumbent Rangers manager, we enter the World Cup- enforced break reflecting on another disappointment in the form of Saturday’s dismal draw at St Mirren. Again, it was a mutual negative for Kamara and this team, failing to respond as expected as well as when required.
The midfielder was hooked at half- time for the second time this season and the third since February. Crucially, both other occasions were at Parkhead when it was totally justified, despite previously starring at the same venue under Gerrard.
The decision to withdraw Kamara highlights even further just how poor his output has been this season.
Not to mention drawing attention to another uncomfortable reality. That van Bronckhorst hasn’t gotten the best from a very talented player when he has been available, nor has he been trusted as much as would have been expected. One aspect plays into the other.
Only seven Premiership appearances have been recorded this season, with just three starts and not one full outing.
A supposed altercation between player and manager at the weekend in Paisley at full- time has been played down and denied by both parties with van Bronckhorst telling Sky Sports post- match that the substitution was purely a matter of choice. Meanwhile, Kamara’s agent Aamer Anwar spoke out to uphold his client’s professionalism and to refute any disagreement whatsoever.
This Rangers side has suffered a steep fall from grace over the last couple of months, since the high watermark of securing Champions League group stage football following an accomplished effort in Eindhoven with Kamara doing what he does best in midfield.
With the mutual curve continuing downward at present, it appears more than likely that Kamara is destined for a clean break in January in what is possibly best for the player and club.
If that comes to pass, it will be a shame if the present predicament overshadows what has been a resounding success of a transfer, almost four years on.
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