REGGAE Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren spent just over two weeks on the island scouting players and he believes he’s seen some quality talent to add to the core squad, going forward.

The Englishman oversaw a predominantly locally based contingent who took on Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago in two international friendlies this month. After winning the first game 1-0 at Montego Bay Sports Complex on Thursday, the Reggae Boyz needed a stoppage time own goal to draw 1-1 with the Soca Warriors at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Sunday.

Outside of goalkeeper Jahmali Waite, who plays in the USA; Cavalier FC Captain Richard King; Vere Phoenix United’s Tyreek Magee; and the Mount Pleasant duo of Jahshaun Anglin and Shaquan Davis, the rest of the 28-man squad was receiving first call-ups under McClaren, with 10 players making their international debut over the two games — including the Jamaica Premier League’s (JPL) leading goalscorers Warner Brown of Arnett Gardens, and Cavalier’s Jalmaro Calvin.

McClaren says the performance and the attitude from the locally based players over the two games were exceptional.

“We tried to give the players an experience of what international football is about and I think we’ve had that for a week,” he said. “I’m quite delighted with the way they’ve behaved, they way they’ve trained. They’ve never been late; they’re attentive in meetings; cooperative, collaborative, and I really enjoyed it. They’re a real good set of players and I hope everybody benefits from this exercise and takes the positives and go again.”

McClaren and his technical staff are now in preparation mode for the Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers next month against St Vincent and the Grenadines, as they look to qualify for the summer’s tournament in the USA.

With the matches taking place during the FIFA international window it’s expected that the Europe-based and USA-based players will return. However, McClaren was asked if he’s identified players good enough from the recent local camp.

“Yeah. Wait until March and you might see them again,” he said. “It’s more the bigger picture: I want three or four to emerge from this squad, and [I’m going to] continue watching the JPL and [perhaps] other players might catch my eye. I want players that will improve the squad as we go forward to the World Cup — and this exercise we just had will help that.”

It’s the third year in a row the locally based Boyz have challenged Trinidad and Tobago. McClaren says more camps outside the international window will enhance the wider football programme.

“I think we should do this more,” he said. “If we can have the players together two days once a month, I think that would really benefit everybody going forward in terms of the national team, the league, and individually.

“I was pleased with the performance, especially the second halves in MoBay and Sunday. When we play with that intensity and tempo we dominate games and we create chances, and that’s what we did. A lot of players made me think twice but, as I said to the players, I’ll follow them and I want to see them get better.”

Outside of the friendly matches, McClaren visited a number of JPL games during his stay. He left the island on Monday and is set to return in March for the two-leg encounter against St Vincent and the Grenadines.