Steve McClaren warns of St Vincent’s threat in Gold Cup qualifier

Jamaica head coach Steve McClaren said his team will not underestimate St Vincent and the Grenadines when they meet in the first leg of their Concacaf Gold Cup qualifier at Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent on Friday. The return leg is scheduled for March 25 at Sabina Park.

Despite the Reggae Boyz' higher ranking and strong squad, McClaren said the opposition has the quality to pose a genuine threat.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, McClaren said: "We've watched them closely over the last five or six games. They've prepared well, and they have some good players who can hurt you. So, I have stressed to the team that this is not going to be easy. What I've realised in my six months in the Caribbean is that there are no easy games. They're all different, and tomorrow will be the same. We have to adapt, accept, and win."

Despite Jamaica’s 63rd-place FIFA ranking compared to St Vincent’s 173rd, McClaren cautioned against assuming an easy fixture. He referenced St Vincent’s performances against El Salvador—where they narrowly lost one match and won the other in the final moments—as proof that they are a competitive side.

"The big danger is complacency," McClaren warned. "The big danger is coming here and thinking it will be an easy game, and it won’t be. From what I’ve seen, they certainly look better than their ranking suggests. We will find out tomorrow, and it’s up to us to get the job done."

Jamaica will be bolstered by the return of key players, including Ethan Pinnock and Bobby Decordova-Reid, who were absent for the Nations League semi-final against the United States last November. Their presence, McClaren believes, will bring leadership and stability to the team. 

"We’ve brought over a very strong squad. We’ve got Demarai Gray, Leon Bailey, Shamar Nicholson, Richard King—who’s been doing well in th e Caribbean Cup—Amari’i Bell, and Andre Blake. It’s a strong squad, a strong team, and I expect us to prepare well and do the business tomorrow."

The Reggae Boyz have had just three days of preparation after finalising their squad on Tuesday, but McClaren remains confident his players are ready for the challenge.

Jamaica will look to secure a crucial away victory before returning home for the second leg, as they aim to book their spot in the Gold Cup and continue their regional dominance.

- Leighton Levy
Sportsmax