MACLAREN IN FOR CUP CAMPAIGN, BOOTS AND ALL
JAMIE Maclaren decided to take a pair of boots with him on holiday – now those boots have had far more of a workout than his beach gear.
Still taking in his change of fortune, from World Cup omission to securing a place in the Australian squad for Russia, the former Brisbane Roar star revealed the pep talk he had received from Socceroos boss Bert van Marwijk that helped him secure that place.
Maclaren said he was close to full fitness, after rushing from his poolside in Dubai to join the Socceroos’ pre-World Cup camp initially as injury cover.
In a week the 24-year-old persuaded van Marwijk that his original omission should be reversed, and Maclaren said that processed had been helped by their initial conversation.
“He pulled me aside in a warm up the first day and he said, ‘This is your opportunity’,” Maclaren said.
“He goes, ‘Forget about what’s happened in the last few weeks, I know you’ll be a bit disappointed ... now you’ve got six days to really push your case’.”