Maclaren eyeing Caltex Socceroos breakthrough on return to happy hunting ground

Jamie Maclaren will be looking to draw on the confidence banked during his prolific spell at Suncorp Stadium as he goes in search of a maiden Caltex Socceroos goal on Saturday.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a prolific two-year spell with Brisbane, netting 20 goals in successive Hyundai A-League campaigns, before joining German club SV Darmstadt 98 and then Scottish Premiership side Hibernian.

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Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Korea Republic, Maclaren returned to Suncorp Stadium to launch the NAB Young Footballer of the Year award.

The two-time winner said: “It gives me goosebumps just standing here in this stadium. It brought great memories, probably my fondest two years I’ve spent as a footballer so far.

“It does give chills on my spine knowing I’ve scored a lot of goals here and enjoyed some really great moments and it is nice to be back.

“I like to think I can score goals in this environment and Arnie [Graham Arnold] has given me some great confidence since I’ve worked with him over the last few months.

“For me it is about being confident and going into games not stressed or frustrated but with confidence to be patient and the opportunity will come.”

Maclaren admits he’s been dreaming about breaking his duck for the Caltex Socceroos as he looks to gain his seventh cap this weekend.

“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t,” he added. “I’ve been dreaming about scoring my first Socceroos goal for a while now.

“For me it is all about working hard, impressing the boss, getting the head down and staying confident because that’s what it’s about.”

The Caltex Socceroos’ match against Korea Republic is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland in partnership with Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Marketing.