Glen Kamara, the Finnish midfielder, celebrated his second international goal in 53 appearances for Finland on Monday evening as his country cruised to a resounding 6-0 victory over San Marino.
While this achievement may enhance his chances of attracting interest from potential suitors during the upcoming summer transfer window, Finnish boss Markku Kanerva believes that Kamara must prove himself against tougher opponents if he wants to impress on a larger scale. This perspective is especially significant considering the recent signings of Kieran Dowell, Todd Cantwell, and Nicolas Raskin by Rangers.
Despite the lackluster reputation of Finland’s opponents, who have not secured a victory in nineteen years, with their last triumph being a 1-0 win over fellow minnows Liechtenstein in a low-profile friendly, Kamara was undoubtedly delighted to find the back of the net for his country once again after a four-year hiatus. The goal came as a result of a slick one-two with Rasmus Schuller, allowing Kamara to slip into a prime position at the edge of the penalty area and send a strike past the hapless San Marino goalkeeper, Elia Benedettini, giving Finland a 1-0 lead. The match eventually concluded with Finland securing a resounding 6-0 victory.
Nonetheless, Manager Kanerva insists that Kamara’s true potential can only be gauged when facing more formidable opposition, underscoring the necessity for the player to display similar performances against higher-quality teams. Kanerva remarked, “For all the players, I hope that these potential transfers would guarantee their development. Therefore, it is vital that the new team offers a role and a club at the highest possible level.”
Read more: Glen Kamara Hints at Impending Departure from Rangers
While questioning the significance of Kamara’s performance against San Marino as an indicator of his skills for potential agents, Kanerva acknowledged the midfielder’s strengths exhibited during the match. He expressed hope that Kamara would find a reputable club, stating, “I don’t know if San Marino is a big indicator of his skills for the agents, but yes, even this match showed his strength. I hope Glen finds a good company. It was gratifying to see him succeed today. Above all, the idea was that he would stay within the shape and provide incisive passes or find scoring opportunities himself. It was a great finish.”
As Kamara’s goal captures attention, the Finnish boss reiterates the importance of consistent high-level performances against tougher opponents to ensure the player’s continued growth and development. With the summer transfer window approaching, it remains to be seen if Kamara can showcase his abilities against stronger competition and secure a move to a club that will provide him with the platform to further flourish in his career.