ALTHOUGH Leon Bailey hasn’t had the greatest of seasons, Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren has been impressed with the winger’s form in recent weeks for Aston Villa and hopes he replicates it for the national team.

The 27-year-old, who arrived on the island last week, was named in Jamaica’s 23-man squad to face St Vincent and the Grenadines on March 21 and 25 for the Concacaf Gold Cup Qualifiers.

Bailey gained several plaudits following the 23/24 season, after registering 14 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, helping Villa finish fourth in the English Premier League and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

However due to varying factors, including injuries, he’s struggled to put up similar numbers, with just two goals and four assists in 36 games.

But two of those goal contributions came at the right time, as a goal in the first leg and an assist in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Club Brugge carried Aston Villa to the quarter-finals with a 6-1 aggregate win.

Also, since his winning goal against Leicester in the league in January, Villa have only lost two of their last nine games, sitting four points off the top four with 45 points.

McClaren says he’s monitored Bailey and believes he has made significant improvements since the start of 2025.

“The conversations [with Bailey] are always positive, very honest. We were very honest after the two USA games, and I follow him very very closely. It’s no coincidence that Unai Emery [Aston Villa manager], when the big games are on and when they have to win, he aways puts Leon in the team,” he said.

“[Villa] have a lot of games, a lot of rotation going on, so that’s why he’s in and out. But, his fitness is good when he plays, he feels good and plays well, and I trust the judgement of top managers. And Unai is a top manager so when he picks Leon for the big games, especially over the last few weeks, he certainly impacts it whenever he plays,” McClaren added.

Bailey returned to the Reggae Boyz squad for the two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals against the USA in November — after a year’s absence from the national team. He couldn’t prevent the team from going down 5-2 on aggregate.

However, McClaren says he wants him to make a positive contribution against St Vincent, starting this week.

“That’s what we expect; that’s the conversation we have with Leon and anybody who comes. Whatever you’re doing for your club, that’s why you’re picked so come and do it for Jamaica. That’s what we expect,” said McClaren.

The national senior men’s head coach also believes senior players like Bailey can guide the team to Gold Cup qualification.

“I think we have enough experience in there, from Andre Blake, [Ethan] Pinnock, Latti [Joel Latibeaudiere], Amarr’i Bell, Isaac Hayden, [Kasey] Palmer, Bobby Reid, Leon Bailey, Shamar [Nicholson] — all experienced players. We expect them to step up, and see us through, and get us to the Gold Cup,” McClaren said.

Earlier this month Bailey said he was motivated to lead the team to the Gold Cup this summer.

“I’m looking forward to the Gold Cup already; we just have to get the qualifiers complete and I’m sure we’ll be there. I’m sure it’s going to be a good Gold Cup for us and I’m really excited and looking forward to it. Hopefully we can do good things this year, and that’s the goal,” said Bailey.

The first leg of the Gold Cup qualifiers takes place this Thursday at Arnos Vale Stadium, with the second leg set for March 25 at Sabina Park.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boy Leon Bailey (left) celebrates with club teammates Marcus Rashford (centre) and Tyrone Mings after scoring Aston Villa’s opening goal during the 3-1 Champions League round-of-16, first-leg win over Club Brugge at Jan Breydel Stadium in Belgium on March 4, 2025.

Jamaica’s Leon Bailey (left) takes on Antonee Robinson of the United States during the first-leg Concacaf Nations League quarter-final football match at the National Stadium on November 14, 2024. (Photos: Garfield Robinson)

MCCLAREN… whatever you’re doing for your club, that’s why you’re picked so come and do it for Jamaica