Speaking on Clyde Superscoreboard earlier this week, current Hearts and former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday had this to say about Glen Kamara.

“I've already made a prediction that Kamara will be in the starting line-up come December 15th against Hibs.

"Kamara and Joe Aribo were always [Michael Beale's] two favourites I thought. They are both great trainers. I think the optimism is that he's going to get the best out of players who have underperformed this season."

Having succeeded Giovanni van Bronckhorst as Rangers manager, Beale needs to redirect a squad that played devoid of confidence before the World Cup break and produce a style of football that engages the support.

'Bealeball' 2.0 should be new and improved going by the 42-year-old’s comments this week, referencing more variety, evolved ideas and of course, complete ownership of proceedings rather than the role of influencer he fulfilled when working under Steven Gerrard.

There will be similarities in structure given the responsibility Beale was handed as first-team coach when previously at Ibrox, but as he reaffirmed after taking over at QPR this summer, “this is a Michael Beale team now, and it’s important you see slight differences”.

Amidst the evolution, however, there is an element of the past that needs to be recaptured. Notably in the form of Kamara.

A player who was branded “integral to our style of play” by Gerrard upon news of a contract extension last September, the Finnish international came to epitomise the fractious unsuitability of Van Bronckhorst’s domestic template. The player who was replaced at half-time during the Dutchman’s final league match in charge against St Mirren was a shadow of previous heights. 

Of course, to move forwards with Rangers Beale can’t exclusively look backwards. New players must come in and some of the current crop must move on.

"I need to look at those guys and know they're here for the right reasons and that they're moving forward," he told Sky Sports on the latter topic.

"Are they playing for Rangers and are they working every day to make Rangers stronger? Are they a good team-mate, are they a good person around the building?

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"It's a privilege to be here working but I think we just need to have a little bit of a shake and a bit of an honest conversation and get back the standards."

Kamara is one such player who, it could be argued, should’ve been sold when at peak value. Now 27, he could fit into the same bracket as a number of other players from the core of this squad who are in need of a fresh challenge. 

That could be used to explain his dip in the last year but it’s also important to consider the context. What Van Bronckhorst wanted from his midfield never seemed to get the best out of Kamara.

Direct build-up play negated his ability to receive under pressure, twist away from opponents and progress the ball. A spot further up the pitch, requiring runs beyond the striker and a high starting position, felt opposed to his visible, natural inclinations. He wants to come towards the ball and was instructed to run beyond it.

No player in Rangers’ squad attempted fewer shots per 90 in the 2020/21 title-winning season than Kamara’s 0.33 per 90, aside from goalkeepers Jon McLaughlin and Allan McGregor. Even last season when handed more offensive freedom towards the end of the campaign, only James Sands (0.19) and Calvin Bassey (0.39) averaged a lower number than Kamara (0.49).

At his best under Gerrard and Beale, the former Dundee midfielder wasn’t constantly breaking lines. In his own, often subtle way alongside Steven Davis he controlled matches, helped to progress play forwards move beyond opposition pressure. Using those deceptive body feints to manipulate his marker and break free with the ball.

The perfect reminder of his levels came away in Eindhoven. During a tie in which Rangers built methodically through the thirds, playing beyond pressure and retaining possession, he excelled.

Able to receive passes in pressurised areas, where the opposition commits numbers due to the potential rewards winning the ball in such a position provides…

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Before evading challenges and playing through the press, opening up the game and accessing the space…

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Kamara’s long-term future has always felt likely to lead him away from Ibrox and Beale’s appointment probably won’t change that.

What it can do is help him to rediscover the domestic form that provided a key foundation previously. Ensuring that when a transfer is sanctioned, it’s for a price that reflects his ability. 

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