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GLEN KAMARA is eager to prove he can cut it at Dundee after being warned what to expect north of the border by former Rangers loan signing Gedion Zelalem.
The pair were team-mates coming through the ranks at Arsenal and Kamara is convinced that top-class football education with the Gunners will stand him in good stead in Scottish football.
The 21-year-old watched Zelalem during his pal’s stint on loan at Ibrox two seasons ago and reckons he can ‘handle’ his switch to the Premiership.
The Finland under-21 cap was freed by Arsenal in the summer and impressed on his competitive debut for Dundee in Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory over Raith Rovers.
And the midfielder, who has penned a two-year deal at Dens Park, is hopeful the win is just the start of a successful campaign with the Dark Blues.
He said: “I don’t know much about Scottish football but I have watched a bit of it because Gedion Zelalem is my friend.
“I used to watch him play in the bigger games, like Celtic against Rangers, and I spoke to him about coming here.
“He just told me it’s a bit different to down in England but that it’s a good level, it’s not as quick as English football but there would be a chance for me to excel here.
“I know it’s going to be tough and physical up here, but I think I will handle that, no problem.
“Gedion told me you get more time on the ball in Scotland, which is a good thing for me because I like to use the ball as much as I can.
“It’s great to have the season started now. I think we can improve on how we played but getting the win was the main thing.”
Kamara made his Arsenal debut – and his only top-team appearance – in a 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup in 2015.
His team-mates that night included Petr Cech, Per Mertesacker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud.
He also relished training with the international stars that pack the Gunners first-team and reckons he can put those experiences to good use as he bids to earn a regular first-team place for the first time in his fledgling career.
He added: “Growing up at Arsenal was great, it was a very good education.
“I trained with the first-team quite a bit and you realise how high the level is, so it’s always going to be tough to break through there.
“Guys like Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott and Francis Coquelin are all fantastic players and they were great with the young lads.
“They didn’t push you away, they tried to help you every day in training and help you improve.
“So it was a fantastic experience, but it’s so difficult to make the breakthrough there because of the quality they have.”
