2019 Asian Cup: Jamie Maclaren pushing aside talk of A-League return as he enjoys Socceroos run

Jamie Maclaren is reluctant to indulge talk of an A-League return while attempting to build on his Socceroos breakthrough at the Asian Cup and stave off self-criticism.

Jamie Maclaren is relishing leading the Socceroos line in the UAE.

Jamie Maclaren is reluctant to indulge talk of an A-League return while attempting to build on his Socceroos breakthrough at the Asian Cup and stave off self-criticism.

Marquee talks are believed to be underway between the Socceroos striker and Melbourne City if the club can offload banished record scorer Bruno Fornaroli.

Maclaren is on loan from German outfit Darmstadt with Scottish Premiership club Hibernian but has only been used sparingly by manager Neil Lennon this season despite a prolific previous campaign.

Jamie Maclaren is relishing leading the Socceroos line in the UAE.

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“There’s always going to be rumours about my situation because coming in here there was talk,” Maclaren said from the UAE.

“It’s just about focusing on this because it’s so important. I’m proud to be here and getting an opportunity under Arnie.

“I’m not going to shift my focus because I know how important this is for us.”

Maclaren said he was trying to keep out of his agent’s conversations, though admitted he was working on a limited time frame during the January transfer window.

“We expect to get to the final so that’s when the window shuts,” he said.

“You never know what’s going to happen but for me it’s about being focused and making sure every lead-up to every game is so important.

Jamie Maclaren is loving life with the Socceroos.

“You try and show it off but when there’s always talk and media saying there’s rumours you’re going to sign there or here, it doesn’t affect you but it is in your face.”

The 25-year-old shifted a giant weight from his shoulders last week, netting his maiden Socceroos goal in his 10th cap with a terrific header.

But he went on to miss a gilt-edged chance against Syria, though he was also denied by Syria’s goalkeeper more than once.

“I know more than anybody I should have scored the header and I made the keeper work on those other occasions, but I’m getting those chances,” Maclaren said.

“I’m my hardest critic but I tend not to beat myself up too much. There’s times where, if the result doesn’t go your way, you’re a little bit harder on yourself.

“I read a stat somewhere Mauro Icardi and Paulo Dybala took something like 10 games to score their first goals for Argentina, that made me feel a little bit better.”

Maclaren is one of numerous squad members utilising the in-camp services mental guru Mike Conway and has felt the benefits of the extra support and mindfulness techniques designed to help him keep his head up after missed chances.

“I think people don’t realise we’re just humans as well,” he said.

“We go through the same day-to-day mental problems an average person would who goes to work.

“There’s pressure on us, there’s pressure on me to get my goal and really kick on, and Mike’s been a big help.

“Right now I’m in a good place and really enjoying it.”