Big chance for JPL top scorer Brown

Arnett Gardens forward and Jamaica Premier League’s leading scorer, Warner Brown, heads a list of nine local players named to the Reggae Boyz squad for their two-way Gold Cup qualifying tie against St Vincent and Grenadines on March 21 and 25.

McClaren said Brown, who has scored 17 goals this season, impressed him even before he was named to the squad to face Trinidad and Tobago recently, and is one of the few Jamaican players who has shown traits of a true number nine.

“I watched quite a bit of Warner Brown before the (Trinidad) camp a few weeks ago. I liked him in camp. He is a goalscorer. The game we went to see him (versus Tivoli), he scored a hat-trick. So it’s easy to include him in the squad. He is one of those who can make an impact. He is quick, he runs behind and and he’s got an eye for goal,” McClaren said.

He believes that it is up to the striker to make the most of the opportunity.

“We haven’t had in the number nine position, in the United Kingdom or in the island, a really standout striker we can pick. Shamar Nicholson comes in. Michail Antonio (now injured) was our number one. Romario Williams was also effective in the two camps we had before the new year. I like him but unfortunately we can’t get him. So the number nine is a position where we need to find that hidden gem. Brown has got an opportunity (in the squad) to seal a place.”

The other local players are goalkeeper Shaquan Davis, defenders Richard King, Kyle Ming, Christopher Ainsworth, Fitzroy Cummings, midfielders Jahshaun Anglin, Suelae McCalla, Tyreek Magee. McClaren said they will use the time they have to prepare to see how they can best balance the squad with the inexperienced locals and senior international players.

“It is good that we named nine local players. And the reason for that is injuries and to give them opportunities. The two games against Trinidad and the work for nearly five days with them gave me great insights into their abilities and character.

“Working with them has given me confidence that I can put them in the squad and know that they will do the job. I think we have enough experience in there from Andre Blake, (Ethan) Pinnock, Latti (Joel Latibeaudiere). We have Amarr’i Bell, Isaac Hayden and (Kasey) Palmer, Bobby Reid, Leon Bailey, Shamar (Nicholson), all experienced players. We expect them to step up and see us through and get us to the World Cup.

McLaren revealed that Richard Hartis has relinquished his assistant coach position after taking up a goalkeeper coach role with Turkish club Besiktas, but that he will continue to contribute voluntarily.

The assistant role goes to former England under-20 World Cup winning coach Paul Simpson.

“He (Hartis) wants to still work with Jamaica and has volunteered his service to come and help us qualify for the World Cup and the Gold Cup. So he is coming in the capacity of just goalkeeping coach.

“What he (Paul Simpson) brings is unbelievable experience of actually winning a World Cup for England under-20s. He knows what it takes to qualify for a World Cup and he knows what it takes to win a World Cup. So his experience will be invaluable in helping myself, the team, the staff and the Jamaica Football Federation to accomplish our goal, “ he commented.

McLaren admitted that they have been paying a lot of attention to the St Vincent team, and believes they can hurt the Reggae Boys if they take them lightly.

“We watched them for six games in Bonaire, Montserrat, and El Salvador, twice each. This is not going to be an easy game. Against El Salvador, they beat them at home and should have beaten them again but conceded a last-minute goal.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Full squad: Goalkeepers: Shaquan Davis, Andre Blake, Jahmali Waite. Defenders: Richard King, Ethan Pinnock, Kyle Ming, Christopher Ainsworth, Dexter Lembikisa, Amarr’i Bell, Joel Latibeaudiere, Fitzroy Cummings. Midfielders: Isaac Hayden, Jashaun Anglin, Bobby DeCordova-Reid, Suelae McCalla, Kasey Palmer, Tyreek Magee. Forwards: Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray, Shamar Nicholson, Kaheim Dixon, Renaldo Cephas, Warner Brown.