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Isaac Hayden made clear (see below) how proud he would be at the age of 29, to make his international debut.
Steve McClaren and Jamaica are on a drive to recruit as many players as possible who are playing, or who have played, at a high level in England, players who qualify through their parents or grandparents for Jamaica.
This month’s internationals see Jamaica with a double header Concacaf Nations League quarter-final to play against the USA.
Isaac Hayden has now made his international debut on ‘home’ soil in Kingston, Jamaica. However, it didn’t end well.
The Newcastle United midfielder introduced at half-time with Jamaica trailing 1-0 and unable to help them turn it around. Isaac Hayden picking up a yellow card in added time.
It was actually two former Everton players who made the headlines though.
After Pepi scored on five minutes to give the USA a 1-0 lead, only nine minutes later the former Everton attacker Demarai Gray (now playing in the Saudi Pro League) failed with a penalty.
Gray’s former Everton teammate Mason Holgate, now playing for West Brom, should have then equalised but instead saw his effort cleared off the line. Holgate then managing to get red carded after picking up two yellow cards.
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.
Tuesday will see Isaac Hayden potentially make his first ever start for Jamaica, as they look to turn around this two-legged quarter-final when they meet the USA in St Louis, Missouri.
Hopefully these internationals will help put Isaac Hayden in the shop window and now playing some football, maybe see a club come in and offer him regular football, with Newcastle United then saving a few quid on the wage bill. Hayden still with more than 19 months to go on his Newcastle United contract, which isn’t set to conclude until 30 June 2026.
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.”

 
