Mixu Paatelainen still remembers his first impression of Glen Kamara - a gifted Gunner who was reluctant to pull the trigger.
Now seven years on, the former Finland boss is delighted to see the Rangers midfielder finally raiding enemy territory looking to scope out opportunities to hurt rivals.
It was back in 2015 that Paatelainen handed the then Arsenal academy kid his first call up to the Finns’ national team.
His ability on the ball and eye for a pass was as obvious then as they are today.
Where Paatelainen did have concerns though, was whether Kamara had the assassin’s cold heart and deep desire to really take aim when he had opponents at his mercy.
That’s changed this season with his emergence as a new option in the No.10 role for club and country.
And it’s a switch Paatelainen believes will only underline his status as a high-calibre operator.
The former Hibs, Kilmarnock and Dundee United gaffer told Record Sport : “Glen was always a kid I had my eye on when I was the national team boss.
“I actually invited him to a training camp one summer for some of our players who played abroad because I wanted to have a closer look at him.
“Even then he was somebody I thought might have a good chance of breaking into the full national team.
“What was visible right away was his technical ability and his eye for a pass.
“Obviously, with him being an Arsenal youth product that was no surprise because those guys at that club are always technically good.
“But in those early days when he moved to Dundee, I thought he was a bit tame in his passing.
“Now though, he’s got that bit of spite in his forward passing and he’s now a much more dangerous prospect and someone who is really capable of winning games for Rangers and Finland.”
Kamara would have to wait another two years before winning his first cap in a clash with Estonia under Paatelainen’s successor Markku Kanerva.
Since then he’s emerged as a key figure for the Nordic nation, with his calm and composed displays in the heart of battle inspiring them to their first ever major finals at last year’s Euros.
Unfortunately, Qatar proved out of reach as they were beaten to a World Cup play-off spot by Scotland’s conquerors Ukraine.
And there was further disappointment as Rangers romped their way to Seville only to suffer a spot-kick sickener against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Yet it was Gers’ Europa League run that saw Kamara reclaim his position of influence in Gio van Bronckhorst’s line-up.
Once a guaranteed starter under Steven Gerrard, the £50,000 signing from Dundee found himself increasingly edged out by another bargain buy, as the Light Blues’ Dutch boss increasingly opted to pair Ryan Jack with John Lundstram at the heart of his midfield
However, the gruelling exertions of their Euro exploits and a mounting list of injuries opened the opportunity for Kamara to impress in his new advanced role.
And it was the 26-year-old’s effortless finish against semi-final opponents RB Leipzig which helped steer Rangers to their first UEFA showpiece in 14 years.
“I think Glen’s done really well, especially later on in the European matches,” Paatelainen added.
“But he’s also been a sub quite a lot this season compared to last season.
“Obviously Gio has wanted to take a look at other players in his position like Lundstram and Ryan Jack.
“But from what I’ve seen lately in his appearances for Finland this month, Glen has been instrumental for the national team.
“I watched the Nations League game against Montenegro last week and he played well in a more attacking role.
“He was operating higher up the pitch, giving passes to the strikers and slotting them in behind the lines.
“He’s certainly matured over the season and he’s passing forward more often.
“That’s something I’ve always wanted to see from him.
“Previously, Glen has always been a midfielder whose main focus seems to have about keeping possession, going sideways of backwards with his passing.
“But now for Finland and in some of the big European games for Rangers, where he played in a No.10 role, he did much better in passing forward and creating chances.
“Getting that goal against Leipzig in the semi-final at Ibrox was great to see too because that’s what he is capable of.
“He’s definitely developed in that respect.
“I’m sure Gio has spoken to him and have that more attacking bow in his armoury.
“The same applies with the Finland team. He’s got a licence to go higher now and use his technique in the areas where it can hurt opponents.
“It’s nothing abnormal that a player will have a little dip or finds himself not featuring in the starting line-up so often.
“That’s the way it goes sometimes.
“Gio decided to go with some other players and it certainly worked for Rangers early on in Europe.
“But he’s come back in and showed how important he can be.”
