Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara could play for Arsenal 'standing on his head' says former boss

Glen Kamara was plucked from English football’s no man’s land by Neil McCann to ignite a football career that’s warming up for a Scottish league title and poised to star in the European Championships this summer.

Glen Kamara can play at the highest level, says former boss Neil McCann (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The then Dundee manager says the midfielder took just “five minutes” to convince him he was capable of kicking on from the fringes at Arsenal if just given the opportunity – a chance given to him at Dens Park in 2017 and then seized upon by Rangers in a canny £50,000 move two years ago.

Now, having starred under Steven Gerrard in the Europa League and on course for a Scottish premiership title, McCann believes his former charge could waltz back into the first team at his former club – or better.

"It’s ironic he left Arsenal because he was deemed not good enough. I believe he could play for Arsenal now, standing on his head – he’s that good,” said McCann.

Former Dundee manager Neil McCann is a regular pundit for Rangers TV

“That boy has the ability to play at a very high level. He’s shown it for Finland and Rangers but I hope he doesn’t go anywhere because I want to see him be a success and he is standing on the edge of winning a title.”

Kamara was limited in his appearances with the Gunners, which forced McCann to bring him north for assessment – and it was a quick decision.

Speaking on Rangers TV McCann revealed: “It only took me five minutes with Glen. There wasn’t much to see in an Arsenal jersey, but he’s got the pedigree and I was looking for a footballer who could be brave, take it off the centre-back and build from the back under pressure.

“After five minutes I knew he was a player and we’d found one.

McCann signed Kamara for Dundee after the Finnish midfielder couldn't make the breakthrough at the Gunners. (Picture: SNS Group Alan Harvey)

“A nice story, after his international debut and he gave me his jersey as a thank you, but I only gave a young footballer I believed in and could see ability in, the licence to go and show how good he is - but he’s got so much more to offer.

McCann added: “He was a joy, but I had to give him some rollickings because there’s more in him. He’s got a great engine and can hit the box all the time, he is rapid quick - people don’t realise that.”

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