Hallgrimsson: Hector can help us now
Defender back for first time since 2021 Gold Cup
Published:Saturday | October 7, 2023 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
After more than two years out in the cold, defender Michael Hector has been recalled to the Reggae Boyz squad for the next two Concacaf Nations League games. Jamaica will play away to Grenada and Haiti on October 12 and 15, respectively.
Hector was last called up for the Jamaica senior team in July 2021 for the Gold Cup tournament. He played his last match in a Reggae Boy jersey against Guadelope, as a defensive midfielder at the group stage of the said tournament.
However, he did not feature in the last two games of the tournament against Costa Rica in their last group match, and the United States in the quarterfinals.
However, with Ethan Pinnock out nursing and ankle injury, coach Heimir Hallgrimsson revealed that he has had his eyes on the veteran defender and believes he will be able to help the team at this time.
“What we have seen from watching him is very positive,” Hallgrimsson said. “He hasn’t played for Jamaica for a long time but I want to see him play. I want to get to know him as a person. He can help us now. He may not be a future player but he has been playing well for his club and he can help us now, as it’s important for these upcoming games that we have a strong squad.”
Assistant coach Merron Gordon pointed out that the former Chelsea and Fulham player not only comes with experience but versatility as well.
“He (Pinnock) has been struggling with an Achilles injury and for a two-metre tall guy an Achilles injury is serious, and because of his injury problem he has been playing under pain. So we have an experienced player (Pinnock) out and it is always good to bring in experience for experience.
“It’s fair for Hector to get his chance. He has never worked with this new coaching staff and the coaches have always wanted to see him and this is a good opportunity. He is a seasoned campaigner for us and it is a good opportunity for him. He is also versatile. He can play in the back and in the middle. So it is good to see him now,” Gordon said.
The full Reggae Boyz squad: Goalkeepers - Andre Blake, Kemar Foster, Jahmali Waite. Defenders - Javain Brown, Tayvon Gray, Di’shon Bernard, Dexter Lembikisa , Damion Lowe, Michael Hector, Greg Leigh, Adrian Marriappa. Midfielders - Bobby Reid, Daniel Johnson, Joel Latibeaudiere, Kevon Lambert, Karoy Anderson, Demario Phillips. Forwards - Michail Antonio, Shamar Nicholson, Leon Bailey, Romario Williams, Renaldo Cephas and Demarai Gray.