The Mag
·13 novembre 2024
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Yahoo sportsThe Mag
·13 novembre 2024
Isaac Hayden is set to play some football at long last.
The Newcastle United midfielder declaring ‘It’s good to finally get it done and get it over the line.’
However, Isaac Hayden is looking forward to making his debut for Jamaica at the age of 29, rather than having eventually moved on from Newcastle United to a club that can offer him first team football.
Isaac Hayden making clear (see below) how proud he will be at the age of 29, making his international debut, with Jamaica having two Concacaf Nations League quarter-final to play against the USA in the next week.
Isaac Hayden talking to The Gleaner – 13 November 2024:
“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.
“The main thing for us is to go out there and do everyone proud.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
The Mag report – 12 November 2024:
‘Back in 2016, Steve McClaren and Isaac Hayden missed each other by a matter of months.
McClaren belatedly sacked in March 2016.
Hayden brought in by Rafa Benitez in summer 2016, as part of a massive overhaul to rebuild the squad, after the shambles the Spaniard had inherited, thanks to Mike Ashley and Steve McClaren.
More than eight years on and Isaac Hayden could now be set to make his first appearance for Steve McClaren.
We reported (see below) last month that McClaren was attempting to recruit Hayden to play for Jamaica.
Now the England Under 21 international is set to turn out for Jamaica.
It is a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final double header against the USA.
This Thursday (1am Friday in UK time), it is Jamaica v USA in Kingston, Jamaica.
Then USA v Jamaica in St. Louis, Missouri on Monday 18 November (1am next Tuesday in UK time).