‘It’s been a long time coming’

HAVING ACCEPTED his first call-up to the Reggae Boyz squad, midfielder Isaac Hayden is looking forward to making his international debut at the National Stadium tomorrow when Jamaica face off against the United States in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals first leg.

“I’m looking forward to both games, especially the home game. I think playing on Jamaican soil in the first leg is important. The atmosphere will be cracking,” he said.

“The main thing for us is to go out there and do everyone proud.”

The English-born midfielder qualifies to represent the black, green, and gold of Jamaica through his father who was born in Jamaica before moving to England at a young age.

He said it was through this connection, as well as his family members, who live in Jamaica, that opened the door for him to make his debut on Thursday.

“My dad was born in Jamaica and he moved from Jamaica to England when he was nine and both my grandparents from that side were both born in Jamaica as well, so that’s a good line of heritage,” Hayden explained.

“I still have some family members over here that will come to the game on Thursday. It’s good to finally get it done and get it over the line. It’s been a long time coming and I’m just looking forward to it.”

Hayden’s inclusion is expected to bring a new dimension to the Boyz midfield as head coach Stephen McClaren looks to bolster his squad with players who can contribute to his possession-based philosophy.

The midfielder said his conversations with the coach have given him the confidence he can help improve the team’s chances of advancing to the semifinals of the Nations League for only the second time in Jamaica’s history.

He has also set his eyes on a long-term plan with qualification to the FIFA 2026 World Cup on his horizon.

“I’ve known the gaffer for a while, obviously with his history in England and we’ve had a few conversations before and he thought I could add to the group in a positive way,” Hayden said.

“I wanted to come here and try to contribute the best way possible to hopefully improve the team and improve the chances of getting to the next round of the Concacaf [Nations League] and obviously, looking further ahead, World Cup qualification.”

Having joined his first training this week, Hayden is determined to have a good first impression on home fans.

Jamaica face the United States at the National Stadium in the first leg on Thursday before the second on November 18 at CityPark Stadium in St Louis, Missouri.

The boys are expected to face a difficult task against the Americans, who they last defeated in an international friendly in 2019.