Brisbane Roar boss John Aloisi has urged Jamie Maclaren to stay in the Hyundai A-League if he wants to realise his World Cup dreams with the Caltex Socceroos.
Roar’s super-striker notched a stunning eight minute hat-trick in the 5-1 hammering of Central Coast Mariners to take his season tally to 18, joining Victory’s Besart Berisha at the top of the Golden Boot standings.
Maclaren treble fires Roar past Mariners
“I think he should stay here in the A-League,” said Aloisi, who scored for his country against Japan at the 2006 World Cup.
“If he goes into a World Cup year playing regular football and scoring goals like this, Ange [Postecoglou, Australia’s national team coach] will have no choice but to select him.”
MACCA’S REMARKABLE RETURN TO FORM
Malaren missed the latest Caltex Socceroos squad, but with seven goals in his last four matches is making a strong case for inclusion in future sides.
“He’s been scoring goals, he’s been looking sharper and sharper in front of goal and tonight he showed again that he’s a goalscorer,” said Aloisi.
“He had a bit of a quiet spell during the year, a lot of speculation on whether he’s staying or going.
“It was good for him because that’s how you end up maturing as a player and he’s done that and he’s blocked that all out and he’s just focused on doing well for Brisbane Roar.”
STAYING OR GOING?
Speculation continues to swirl around Maclaren’s future with demand for his signature set to soar during a sizzling goalscoring streak which has seen him score seven times in his last four outings.
“That’s something we’ll sit down [and talk about] at the end of the season,” said Aloisi.
“If Jamie wants to go overseas, I understand.
“If he wants to go to another level, I get it.
“If he wants to stay, we can negotiate what we can, but at the moment we haven’t even thought about money or what’s on offer.
“All we can do for Jamie here is create a really good environment for him to keep on improving as a player.
“He knows the football we play [means] he’s going to get chances and score goals.
“If he does stay in the A-League, we’d love to keep him but if he goes overseas, I understand.”
