Club v Country – just why is Rangers man thriving?

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Club v Country – just why is Rangers man thriving?
Ok so it wasn't last night but no wonder he's laughing. (Photo by Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva / AFP) / Finland OUT (Photo by MARKKU ULANDER/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images)

For those of you interested, Rangers’ Glen Kamara once again lined up for his nation as Finland lost to Gareth Bales’ Wales, and we were very intrigued to see both his style and his numbers as he showed up in the white of the Scandinavians.

And we have to say Kamara’s quiet impressive season at Ibrox has continued for his national team, as he played in pretty much the same position for his country as he has been for Rangers this season:

Central midfield.

Kamara might be in a theoretical double defensive midfield pivot with Ryan Jack for his club, but he’s not playing there for Steven Gerrard – he’s played more advanced forward and covering more grass. His passing percentage is also much better.

Because, as we told you last season, a reason Kamara seemed to produce better displays on international duty than for his club was because he was playing a role further up the pitch than the DM slot Stevie had him in at Ibrox.

Now, we see he’s playing that role for club and country.

Example:

Last night his heatmap was consistently in the central midfield area, disciplined in keeping to his line of midfield but getting forward and retreating at the right amount.

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Country or club, you decide?
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Country or cluuuu… yeah you get the drill.

Look at his last Rangers appearance and last night’s for his country. Position wise they’re exactly the same, albeit one has him on the ball a lot more.

And the passing percentage? Almost the same, 87% v 89%.

While Kamara hasn’t run out for Rangers’ last two, he has definitely been much improved this season, and it’s been because he’s playing the CM role for Rangers he does for Finland.

When Michael Beale said the system has changed, he wasn’t kidding.

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1 COMMENT

  1. Is that not where you would expect to find a CDM playing for a team which has most of the ball and spends most of their time in the opposition half?
    I am happy enough with his contribution, but also expect to lose him next summer after the Euros. As Davis will probably retire at the same time, we will be needing reinforcements

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