Seize your opportunity

Maclaren’s challenge to A- League youngsters

SOCCEROOS and Melbourne City marksman Jamie Maclaren says Australia’s best young players will “sink or swim” in the new A- League season.

With a reduced salary cap due to COVID- 19 ramifications, the A- League has lost several experienced players – both Australian and foreign – to more lucrative overseas deals. It has led to fears of a drop in the competition’s standard, but Maclaren believes it’s an exciting time in Australian football because the nation’s emerging talent will have more opportunities to play on a weekly basis.

“When I joined the ALeague it was predominantly more experienced players and if you were a young boy you might get the odd appearance,” said McLaren, who was 20 when he made his A- League debut for Perth Glory in 2013. “Now I believe a lot of the young boys will have faith from the coaches to get the opportunities.

“It will be a sink or swim mentality. The young boys who are given opportunities have to make sure they can grasp them. They can’t take a backward step. It’ll be nice and refreshing to see young players getting debuts, and getting recognition.”

Now 27 and an A- League marquee man, Maclaren has vowed to provide leadership in a City side desperate to go one better than last season when they finished second on the ladder and lost the grand final 1- 0 to Sydney FC.

“I do see myself as more of a leader now. I’m not very vocal like some. I like to use my leadership in actions,” he said.

Maclaren has promised a more “aggressive” City under new coach, former Socceroos hardman Patrick Kisnorbo.

“With Patrick at the helm, he’s going to bring an aggressiveness to us, and all the boys that were here last season, that’s something that we lacked a bit,” the A- League’s reigning Golden Boot said.

“We’ll be a team that’s exciting to watch going forward, and after last season we’ve got a little bit of fire in the belly. We do want to win it because we came so close last season and didn’t reach it.”

Maclaren is relishing the grand final rematch against Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium.

“The final was a cracking game and you would expect the same come December 30,” he said.