Mohun Bagan’s fans were thrilled when A-League legend, Australian star Jamie Maclaren, joined the team for this season. Though he faced an early setback due to an injury, he made a strong comeback. He has already made history by scoring against both Mohammedan Sporting Club and East Bengal respectively.
As he gears up for the game against Odisha FC on Sunday, he had a freewheeling chat with RevSportz’s Chief Editor, Boria Majumdar. Maclaren shared his thoughts on scoring in the derby, his connection with Mohun Bagan fans, his love for Indian food, and more. Here are some highlights from the interview:
Your thoughts on that goal and scoring in the Derby?
I missed the pre-season, a serious injury caused me a lot of pain, and I did not think I was going to play the first maybe 10 games. So, to know that I was playing in these big fixtures and you could see the fans around the streets talking about the Derby, the 19th. Obviously, I was getting to a point where I was fit enough to play, and the week before I scored against Mohammedan with my head, which is something that has caused me problems.
Look, it is a fixture that is the biggest in India, one of the biggest in Asia. I watched it previously before I signed for this football club, and it was just an amazing feeling to be part of a Derby game. But to get us off the start with a nice goal… many more Derbies to come.
Why Mohun Bagan?
– Well, their history speaks for itself, but also I know (of) a few players that have played here in the past, not only now, but in previous years, and they are the most successful. I think something that I did in Australia was win trophies and I want to be a part of a team that is always consistently, striving for greatness and that is why I have come here.
It is a huge club, huge organisation, and there is no better feeling than walking into a stadium, our home games, whether we are playing a big Derby or playing a smaller game or whatever. In our minds, it is always about winning and having a standard. The fans have a high expectation and that is something that comes with getting nearly 30,000 plus fans, every single game is important. That is what I want to do. I want to play.
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“I’ve seen similar atmosphere when I played against Messi and Argentina in the World Cup” – @mohunbagansg star #JamieMacLaren on the Kolkata derby!
The fans, pressure of representing a legacy club, backstage Jamie MacLaren and more! @lalbabarice @BoriaMajumdar pic.twitter.com/rBtTXKcB5M
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) November 8, 2024
What do you think of the young footballers in India? Perhaps, you can play the role of a mentor? Is that something you believe will be one of your legacies?
– Look, I hope so. But there are also some young players in this squad that from day one have been asking me questions. For example, young Suhail, after the first month, was asking me because I was not training. But I saw the way he was moving in some drills and I said, too many times, you are not going towards the front post, you are a striker. And he started to ask me more and more questions. When you have players that want to learn off you, but I am also learning off the quality.
I have come here and I have seen the level. I have seen guys that play in the national team. They have got 50 odd caps for their country. It is special and there is no better feeling than knowing that you can improve, but also you can help others improve.
Thoughts on the fans?
– Unbelievable. I have not played in an atmosphere (like this) since I played at the World Cup against Argentina. It was just so loud from minute-one-to-minute-90. Just a fantastic atmosphere. The big reason why I came here is because there is always an expectation to win, to win trophies, to perform, to entertain. But also the way they show their love for football, I have not seen too many countries like that.
The passion and the noise, similar to a game in South America, like a River Plate or Boca Juniors and the flares going off when I scored the goal and just the goosebumps. The fans are giving me goosebumps and I am sure that is why a lot of players come here and are very proud to wear the jersey.
What about the pressure of expectations? How do you deal with pressure?
– I do not see it as pressure. I wanted to experience a new culture, a new country, a fantastic league. I kind of wanted to really impress and I have got the record of all time goals in Australia with 154. I kind of came here with the mentality of, yes, I want to score goals. And in this team, goals will come. But I ultimately want to come here and win trophies and just add to this team.
This team is already great and I wanted to just add to that. That is sort of the mentality I have come with. You do win those individual accolades if your team is performing and the team always comes first. That’s a big reason why I joined Mohun Bagan, because they focus on team performance that leads to trophies.
How is Jamie MacLaren backstage?
– I like a bit of sport. I follow cricket very well. Australian sport, Golf… I have been enjoying a lot of Indian food. I have grown up with it. My parents do love it as well. At the moment, Bhindi Masala is the number one favourite for me and going on the vegetarian side.
It is an amazing culture. People are so friendly. Behind closed doors, I like to be a little bit reserved and I have got a wife and a little baby, who will be coming here in December. I look forward to showing them this beautiful country.
Also Read: Oscar Bruzon’s Revitalised Squad Set to Clash with Mohammedan SC in High-Stakes Derby