THE parting of ways will come at some point in the future. For now, the relationship between Rangers and Glen Kamara remains as strong as ever.
That is why Steven Gerrard didn't have to worry when he saw his midfielder touted for big-money moves or linked with illustrious clubs across the continent over previous seasons.
The new four-year deal that Kamara signed this week is a show of faith and commitment from the Ibrox hierarchy. It is also a way of protecting their investment and ink on a contract is like money in the bank for Rangers.
Kamara could have moved on during the summer but Gerrard never feared that the Finnish international would head for the exit just months after the first title win of a career that is destined to be at a higher level.
“As manager of this club you have to respect where people are at," Gerrard said.
“I’m not going to be a manager who forces people to do something they are not ready to do.
“All we can do, if we want to keep a player, is make sure we make them respectable offers and hope that they are on the same page and they agree with that.
“I tend to leave Ross Wilson to do his job. Once we agree that we want to keep a player or extend a deal then I say to Ross, ‘over to you’ and Ross then does his magic.
“That’s as simple as it is. I was always confident with Glen Kamara because I feel this is the right place for Glen.
“I still think Glen can go on again, I think there’s more to come from him. He’s settled, he’s happy and he’s been smiling around the place, he’s also in great form.
“The noises that were coming out from the stable, even although it was a patient one, were always good. Glen has always made it clear he is happy here.
"Rangers have been good for Glen and Glen has been good for Rangers. It’s a really strong relationship.
"Sometimes as a manager you have to be patient and let it run its course and that’s what’s happened here. But I always had confidence we could get there in the end.”
As Rangers regrouped and reset in the aftermath of their 55th title glory, it seemed inevitable that Gerrard would have to bid a reluctant farewell to those who earned legendary status last term.
The champions would retain their key men and prized assets, however. Now Gerrard must continue to get them best out of them as Rangers aim for further silverware successes.
“I’ve said it on many occasions, it’s important that at a club like Rangers you keep your best players for as long as possible," Gerrard said.
“Now we all understand how the club works. But Glen is someone who fits into our style really well.
"He’s evolved, he’s grown, he’s improved a lot since we took him from Dundee.
“He obviously had a real good schooling down at Arsenal and then under Neil McCann at Dundee. So we knew we were plucking a player to suit our style.
“But Glen has come in and worked ever so hard to improve his game. I think it’s got to a level now where people are really appreciating what type of player he is and the level he can perform at.
“Glen makes this squad stronger, he makes our 11 stronger so it’s obviously very pleasing news for me.
“It’s one we’ve been working on in the background ever so hard so credit to the club for getting that one over the line."
Kamara will return to familiar ground this afternoon as Rangers make the trip to Dundee aiming to get back to winning ways in the Premiership.
The disappointing draw with Motherwell last weekend was enough to take Gerrard's side top of the table but the Ibrox boss knows Rangers have levels to reach as they attempt to recapture their finest form.
“Well look, we’re always striving to get better," Gerrard said. "Even last year when we were in good form we were always looking to tweak and to improve.
“We’re always going to drive these players individually and collectively. We’re not going to come off them.
“We’ve got a real good group who have settled down. It was tough at the start of the season with people returning at different times, while we had some Covid issues, some injuries.
“But the squads just settling down a little bit now. We’re healthy after midweeks game. We’ve got no new injuries to report so things are settling a little bit.
“We’re top of the league in the last four. The boys are doing OK but I still feel we’ve got another level to go into, which is a real good place for me to be in."
The recovery from those dropped points against the Steelmen started with a routine League Cup victory over Livingston on Wednesday night as a semi-final spot was secured.
Rangers head to Tayside in pole position. They may not have hit the expected heights so far, but the champions remain the ones to catch in the title race this term.
Gerrard said: “We always focus on ourselves and try to be the best version of ourselves.
“I think after a disrupted pre-season and start to the season, we didn’t want to talk about excuses.
“It was all about just worrying about us and getting closer towards our level.
“I feel as though we’re on our way to that but the exciting thing for me is that I think there’s more goals to come from us and I still think we can tighten up slightly on the back of the Motherwell game.
“I thought we defended really well in midweek. We never gave any opportunities up, no corners, no shots on target. That’s a good start.
“If we do find them extra tweaks and an extra gear we know we can go on a real strong run and that’s the aim for everyone."
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