Cameron Palmer programme article
Posted : 4th May 2021
Young Linfield midfielder Cammy Palmer has been a real revelation since joining the Blues from Rangers in January. Many Linfield supporters wouldn’t have known an awful lot about the 20 year-old when he signed, but fast forward a few months and the Blue men and women are raving about his performances.
Despite his youth, Cammy has an interesting background and is well-travelled. Born in England, raised in Canada and then moved to Scotland where he joined Rangers aged 11, and now Belfast, where his father is originally from. The passionate Leeds United fan had loan spells with Partick Thistle, Clyde, and Orange County in California, but had only made around 35 senior competitive appearances before joining Linfield. We asked him how he’s settled so seamlessly.
“I’ve loved playing the number of games that I’ve had since joining Linfield in January. That was the reason I came to the club – with ambitions to play in as many games as possible and show what I can bring to the team. I think the number of games we’ve had over a short period of time has been tiring, but I’d rather that than not play.
“I haven’t found it tough going to play at new grounds here, no, because I think having played at hundreds of grounds in different countries, you get used to the variety of pitches. I would say it would have been different had I been going to these grounds with fans in them as that brings a whole different experience to the game.
“I’ve been happy with my performances so far but I still feel I have more to bring and I am fully focused on trying to end the season strongly.”
Palmer captained Rangers to Youth Cup successes but with the Blues six points ahead at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership with four matches to go, he is determined to win his first senior trophy and believes his teammates possess great characteristics for the run-in.
“Myself and the team are absolutely determined to win silverware. I’ve fallen short in that regard a few times when I was at Rangers’ Academy and on some of my loan spells and it’s something I want to change. We have a changing room full of winners and that’s something which drives me and the team on. A lot of the players here have been there and won titles, so I try and learn from their experience.
“I think a draw was a fair result at the Oval on Saturday. We had some good chances, especially in the first half. On the balance of play, it probably would have been harsh, if either team nicked it. Those big games have an edge to them, similar to the likes of when Rangers play Celtic because the stakes are high and no-one wants to give anything away. They can be frantic or feisty but on Saturday the lads dug in and matched Glentoran, and hopefully it’s a point closer to where we want to be.”
“We want to get back to winning ways and if we can do that on Tuesday, I think it would be a step closer to the title. We are really looking forward to the game. Obviously, not playing on Saturday was disappointing but I need to keep myself ticking over, to ensure I’m ready when called upon. Everyone is putting the team before themselves and doing what they can to help the team to win. Stephen Fallon and Jamie Mulgrew put a great shift in on Saturday – they always deliver when called upon and it’s great to have competition for places like that. The way Mulgrew plays and how he gives everything in every game really is contagious and I take a lot from that. He has helped me in a lot of ways, not just from speaking to him but also from watching him, even the little small things he does which makes him such a great, consistent player.”
In closing, we asked Cammy about life in Northern Ireland, considering he arrived during a lockdown with only ‘essential’ businesses open, but now that restrictions have been eased, he looks forward to seeing some sights.
“There are quite a few places I want to visit. A lot of people have recommended some nice places, especially in the North Coast. Matthew Clarke has recommended some places and I have a list of things I want to do in Northern Ireland, so now that Covid lockdown restrictions have changed, I look forward to seeing what this country is really like.”
Let’s hope it’s not just Cammy’s former club Rangers celebrating title number 55 this season. The Linfield supporters will no doubt join us in wishing him every success for the league climax and the Irish Cup which resumes on Saturday at home to Dungannon. On top of that, Birthday wishes in advance to Cammy whose 21st birthday is on Saturday week when Linfield will play host to Larne