George Overhill

Sun 6 February 2022 20:10, UK

Michael Beale was filled with praise for Rangers star Glen Kamara after his goalscoring return to form in the 5-0 thrashing of Hearts.

The former Gers coach followed Steven Gerrard to Aston Villa in November, leading to increased speculation that the Birmingham side would move for the Finnish international, who was already on their radar from the summer (Birmingham Mail).

That speculation will only increase around the possibility of a summer move after the assistant head coach at Villa Park responded to Kamara’s goalscoring performance as a substitute at Ibrox, where he slotted home the third shortly after coming on.

Writing on his personal Twitter account the English coach said: Glen Kamara, a lovely footballer. Top person also”.

Hands off

Following the disastrous 3-0 defeat to Celtic in midweek, where Gers lost their spot at the top of the league to their Glasgow rivals, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side needed a response.

And they came up with an emphatic one, eventually, as they punished the team directly below them in third.

Kamara was one of three players hauled off at half-time of the Old Firm capitulation and was dropped from the starting line-up for the visit of the Edinburgh side.

But his response was magnificent, as he came on in the second half with the score at 2-0, but still in the balance considering the missed chances by both sides, and scored a brilliant third.

It was a crucial result in the circumstances and fans will be hoping their side are back on track after a number of wobbles since the new year.

But they will be less delighted to see positive messages being sent from a former member of their coaching staff amid the speculation about a transfer move.

The former manager ultimately did not attempt to revisit Ibrox for his ex-player during the January transfer window after he managed to add his one-time Liverpool teammate Philippe Coutinho.

But messages like the one Beale sent on Sunday evening will let the player know that he is still in the thoughts of the Premier League side, and will likely keep those around Gers on edge into the summer.

In other Rangers news, James McFadden could not believe this Light Blue had managed to waste an excellent chance in the Hearts win.