Other local players will get their chance – Hallgrimsson
REGGAE BOYZ head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson says the 22-man domestic squad named recently is not final, and that other players will be given their opportunity during the month-and-a-half camp at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence.
The Icelandic coach is also eager to see how the group fares against their regional rivals, Trinidad and Tobago at the end of the camp in March.
“We will have the chance of watching more players in the league before we call up some more first-time players. Players I don’t know much about and would like to know a little bit more.
“We cannot call all the players. We just have to adjust to the programme and schedule of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).
“But it’s a fantastic opportunity for a national team coach to bring in the players from the clubs to a midweek camp,” he said.
“We don’t select a team many months prior to a game. So they have the privilege to show the coach what they can do.
“This (camp) will also give us a good time to watch the players in action with their teams (clubs).
“But the plan is to have a month and a half with the domestic players. Hopefully, we can close off with two games against Trinidad.”
Hallgrimsson admitted that he does not know many of the players but said some have made an impression, while others came highly recommended. Nevertheless, he said the friendly against Trinidad will be the big test, to show who is ready for international football.
“I have been looking at some players I have been told have been playing pretty well (in JPL). Some players have caught the eye. But let’s see if they are national team level.
“The good thing about having them here is that I can look and see what they can deliver. So I am really grateful to have that chance against Trinidad, to look at domestic players and see them in action in national team games,” he continued.
He revealed also that he has had numerous requests from JPL coaches asking not to overwork their players, with the local season in high gear.
“I understand as a former club coach that you don’t want to lose the players too much. But we are not doing any fitness, just tactics and how they cope with what we want them to do in our tactics.
“So I promised the coaches that I will not overwork them, as it’s more getting them to understand our tactics and work environment.”