McClaren happy with 23-man squad; excited by additions of Campbell and Reid Jr

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MCCLAREN...I want continuity which is why 18 from the Copa are in the squad but I also wanted to look at some new additions because gaps were there but there are people to look at Naphtali Junior

Although Leon Bailey’s return to the Reggae Boyz is seen as the highlight, Head Coach Steve McClaren says he’s looking forward to seeing winger Norman Campbell and teenage midfielder Adrian Reid Jr ahead of their Concacaf Nations League fixtures beginning next week.

McClaren named his first squad as the new senior national men’s team coach on Friday, which will take on Cuba next Friday at the National Stadium and Honduras on Tuesday September 10.

Eighteen players who took part in Copa America in June retain their place but along with Bailey, there are five new additions with 24-year-old Campbell getting his first call-up since 2021.

The former Jamaica College star, who moved from the Serbian first division to Randers FC in Denmark earlier this summer, was chosen to replace winger Renaldo Cephas after McClaren got a recommendation from Reggae Boyz assistant coach Merron Gordon.

“We know Cephas has been in the squad regularly and playing but at the moment he’s having struggles with his club in Turkey,” McClaren said during a press conference on Friday. “I spoke with him, he’s training on his own and waiting on a move away from Turkey to another club, so I said, ‘No problem, I know what you can do, so sort your future out.’

“That left a hole, so I spoke to Merron, who talked about Campbell. I’ve watched a couple of his games and he scored in the two games. To leave the island and go to Serbia for four years really toughens you up and now he’s moved to Randers in Denmark and I think it’s a perfect move for him. He’s thriving in the culture at the club and his performances are very good.”

Reid, 17, received his first call-up in June for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Dominican Republic and Dominica but missed out on the Copa America.

However, McClaren says his recent performance for Cavalier in the Caribbean Cup guaranteed his spot in the squad.

“Merron mentioned him because we were looking at that midfield area and I said what’s the young talents in that area and he mentioned Adrian,” McClaren said. “Fortunately he played [Thursday] night. We went to the Cavalier versus Police game and it was a chance to have a look at him and wow! Seventeen! What a talent! I was so impressed with him over the 90 minutes. I said straight away to Merron and the staff, let’s get him in the squad, give him an opportunity to train with us, an opportunity to maybe get some minutes.”

The other two returning players are Luton left back Amari’i Bell and Barnsley midfielder Jon Russell.

While there has been talk of wholesale changes due to scouting of English players with Jamaican heritage, McClaren says he’s more than satisfied with the squad that has been assembled.

“I’m fortunate that we had many players to choose from, so it’s a difficult choice in the end,” he said. “I want continuity, which is why 18 from the Copa are in the squad but I also wanted to look at some new additions because gaps were there, but there are people to look at.

“The key thing is we can’t wait for Monday. We coaches aren’t about press conferences, we’re about football, we’re about getting players on the training field, getting playing games and getting to win, lose or draw; that’s what I’m excited about. Two very difficult games, but there’s a lot of expectation on Jamaica. Number one in the Caribbean, that brings pressure from the fans but we need the support from them, the support from the federation, the support from everybody.”

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers Andre Blake, Jahmali Waite, Conniah Boyce-Clarke

Defenders Damion Lowe, Di’Shon Bernard, Ethan Pinnock, Amari’i Bell, Greg Leigh, Richard King, Joel Latibeaudiere

Midfielders Kasey Palmer, Karoy Anderson, Bobby Reid, Jon Russell, Adrian Reid Jr.

Forwards Leon Bailey, Michail Antonio, Shamar Nicholson, Demarai Gray, Kaheim Dixon, Norman Campbell

Adrian Reid Jr (left) celebrates with Cavalier teammate Shaquille Stein after scoring during the semi-final second-leg win over Arnett Gardens in the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League play-offs at Sabina Park on May 12, 2024. (Photo: JPL)

<img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4143537" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4143537" ta-src="http://www.bing.com/jamaicaobserver/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/image_2-298.jpg" alt="" width="1434" height="956" ta-srcset="http://www.bing.com/jamaicaobserver/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/image_2-298.jpg 1434w, http://www.bing.com/jamaicaobserver/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/image_2-298-300x200.jpg 300w, http://www.bing.com/jamaicaobserver/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/image_2-298-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http://www.bing.com/jamaicaobserver/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/image_2-298-768x512.jpg 768w, http://www.bing.com/jamaicaobserver/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/image_2-298-180x120.jpg 180w" sizes="(max-width: 1434px) 100vw, 1434px"/> Michail Antonio #9 of Jamaica celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s first goal during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group B match between Ecuador and Jamaica at Allegiant Stadium on June 26, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP)

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