Derby County's Mo Camara has come a long way since leaving Guinea at the age of two. Although he has not quite yet realised his Premiership dream, the affable defender has already shown the guts he demonstrated as a kid by battling back from a serious cruciate injury. And he doesn't believe his story is over yet. Not by a long way...as he told givemefootball's Ian Clarkson.
Q:HOW LONG DID YOU LIVE IN GUINEA?
A:I was born in Guinea, but moved to Paris at the age of two. It's a very big city and there is lots going on there - it will always be my home and I love nothing more than going back there to visit family and friends when I have the time. I love the city and will always hold affection for it, but it is definitely not as glamorous as people think. I grew up on the outskirts of the city in a suburb where life was tough.
Q:IN WHAT WAY?
A:It was very different to the rich areas of Paris and life was a struggle at times but I don't have any regreats at all about my upbringing - if anything it toughened me up and prepared me well for my future. As a footballer you need to have lots of different qualities to succeed and one of them is my strong character. I believe my resilience comes from my upbringing.
Q:HOW DID YOU FOOTBALL CAREER START?
A:I joined an academy at Beauvais around 60 miles outside Paris and spent six years with them as a youngster. I then went to Le Havre for three years and on to Lille where I spent another three years. The chance to play at the highest level in France with Le Havre and Lille was too good to turn down. I enjoyed my time there with all three clubs, but I did want to play in England though. When I was growing up I was a Liverpool fan and my hero was John Barnes!
Q:HOW DID YOUR BIG BREAK COME ABOUT?
A:Wolves came in for me and I was given that opportunity, although I soon realised that the game is a lot quicker over here than in France. I settled in quite well after the first few months and knew I'd made the right decision.
Q:DID THINGS GO WELL AT MOLINEUX?
A:It was all going so well and then I got a cruciate ligament injury. It was only supposed to keep me out for four months but in the end I was forced to sit out the season. It was great that the lads won promotion but frustrating for me as I wasn't involved. I never got to play in the Premiership because that summer I moved to Burnley but I have no regrets because I played over 100 games in two campaigns at Turf Moor and put the injury right behind me.
Q:AND THEN CAME THE SWITCH TO CELTIC?
A:Yes, money cannont buy the experience I had there, playing in front of 50,000 crowds. I also played in two Champions League matches. I will bore my grandchildren about that in the years to come! But we had just played in a friendly in Japan and I was sat thinking about my future when my agent called and told me that Leeds were interested in signing me. After that, I got another call to say Derby wanted me too.
Q:WHAT WAS KEY TO THE DECISION YOU MADE TO JOIN DERBY?
A:I knew then I had the chance go to and play regular football again. That's what I wanted. I spoke to both clubs but it was Billy Davies who made up my mind for me. I had a very good feeling about what he said. I liked his fighting spirit.
Q:AFTER A SLOW START THINGS ARE LOOKING UP AT PRIDE PARK NOW?
A:We have played quite well the whole tihs season but we need to start winning more matches at home. We beat West Brom at the weekend and if any team is to be successful, they have to have a good record in front of their own supporters. It doesn't matter to me who we are playing in this league. If we can get the points more often than not at Pride Park, we have a very good chance of making it into the top six by the season's end. And after that, who knows what might happen?
