Socceroos legend Luke Wilkshire has called out Jamie Maclaren’s post match comments after Melbourne City squandered a two-goal lead to Adelaide United, warning that his venting on air is the type of interview that could “cause problems in the changing room”.
Maclaren opened his account for the 2021/22 Isuzu UTE A-League season against the Reds at Coopers Stadium, with fellow City forward Andrew Nabbout adding another strike to guide the reigning Champions into a two-goal lead on the road.
But a late collapse from the visitors saw Adelaide storm home to steal a point in a game which ended 2-2. The Reds’ equaliser came through Ben Halloran in the 90th minute of play after Jordan Bos coughed up possession cheaply at left-back, leaving goalkeeper Tom Glover – who elected to play out from the back instead of hoofing the ball out of danger – well off his line as the lobbed shot dropped over the line.
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Watching the calamitous moment unfold down the other end of the pitch was Maclaren.
“I’m pissed off mate, to be honest,” Maclaren said, speaking to pitch-side reporter Michael Zappone in his post-match interview on Channel 10.
It’s men in moments, and when there’s five minutes to go and you’re trying to play out from the back, you’ve got to be better. We’ll look at ourselves in the mirror, and we’ll find out in the dressing room.
Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren
He continued: “It’s a chain (reaction), there were many decisions that happened there that cost us the goal. I’m not just going to throw Tommy Glover under the bus, but at the same time we need to be better.
“2-0 up we looked comfortable, they’re always going to have patches because they’re a good team, but we need to be better, we should be coming away with three points tonight.”
Zappone then changed tune, and asked about Maclaren’s goal, suggesting that the striker’s pre-match haircut played a role in helping him open his goalscoring account.
He quipped: “You told me before the game you were going to cut your hair and break the curse, that worked for you?”
“The goal worked, but I leave without three points,” Maclaren answered.
“I’m pretty disappointed, but it was nice to open the account.”
While Maclaren’s frustration was palpable, Wilkshire noted the finer detail in Maclaren’s comments, taking issue with the City striker individualising the disappointment of not claiming all three points.
“In the game, I thought he was on the peripheral of the game,” Wilkshire said.
It (the interview) came across with arrogance, that sort of thing. The way it got put out, can cause problems in the changing room.
Former Socceroos defender Luke Wilkshire on Channel 10.
There were positives, however, for Melbourne City, particularly in the form shown by Nabbout, as well Maclaren opening his account for this season. The opening goal was a raid that showed the frightening potential of the City front three – full of pace, and purpose.
“It was a great start for City up front, great run by Nabbout – he (Maclaren) is always in the right place at the right time and that’s why he scores goals like that,” his former Socceroos teammate Mark Milligan said on Channel 10’s post game show.
