Frings backing convinced Maclaren to sign
May 22, 2017 - 5:31 PM Jamie Maclaren is convinced his decision to sign for Germany's SV Darmstadt is the right move for both his club career and his international ambitions.Maclaren is back in the Socceroos frame for the first time in six months after being named in coach Ange Postecoglou's 30-man squad for next month's must-win World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.
His selection came just days after joining Darmstadt, who will play in Germany's second tier next season after their relegation from the Bundesliga.
The 23-year-old is eager to take his game to the next level after two strong seasons with Brisbane Roar and believes Darmstadt is the place to do it, having turned down bigger teams and bigger money to link up with their decorated coach, 79-cap former German international Torsten Frings, who has been tracking him for months.
"We had dinner together and he was explaining to me he's been watching me for a while, even before he got the Darmstadt gig," Maclaren told AAP.
"He just loves the way I do my work in the box - he said in Germany it's different sort of strikers, they're taller, they come to the ball.
"But he said 'with you, you add something different, something I want in a striker'.
"Darmstadt's a team that needs goals and he feels I can add to that."
Maclaren said Frings knew exactly how the team would have to adapt to help play to his strengths and will be essentially given first crack at becoming Darmstadt's main striker in pre-season.
"It's a nice feeling that a coach over in Europe with the profile he's got is going to back me," he said.
"I know what it's like to play under a coach that gives you full belief, and full of faith, like John Aloisi did."
Maclaren said he did not choose Darmstadt specifically to boost his Socceroos chances but it seems that could be a happy by-product of the move.
The likes of Mathew Leckie, Robbie Kruse, Mitch Langerak and Ben Halloran have all previously won Australia call-ups on the back of strong form in the 2.Bundesliga.
"I need to go there and really stamp my authority and do the Aussies proud," Maclaren said.
"It's up to me to go there and score goals in Germany. If you don't, you shouldn't be getting picked.
"I'm going to go there with the mentality that whenever I play, I need to score."
Maclaren must survive next Wednesday's cut to a 25-man squad to have the chance to add to his two Socceroos caps.
Source: AAP
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