A-League 2016-7: Jamie Maclaren’s homing in on Cahill

Jamie Maclaren has tried to deflect suggestions he’ll attempt to fill Tim Cahill’s role for the Socceroos.

Jamie Maclaren his a volley at Roar training at Ballymore. Picture: Steve Pohlner.

Jamie Maclaren admits he can’t fill Tim Cahill’s boots for the Socceroos but he’ll be doing his best to outplay him at Suncorp Stadium tonight, when Brisbane take on Melbourne City.

Cahill missed City’s 2-1 win over Adelaide United last week with achilles tendon soreness, but coach John van’t Schip confirmed he would be in the squad to face Roar.

Roar coach John Aloisi had anticipated that selection, telling reporters yesterday morning: “I’m expecting Cahill to play. I’m thinking he’ll definitely play, which is good.”

The match should provide the perfect stage for a thrilling A-League drama, with Cahill this week being rested by Australian coach Ange Postecoglou for the November 15 World Cup qualifier against Thailand but tonight facing the man who will replace him — Maclaren.

“Timmy is a different sort of player than I am,” the 23-year-old striker said yesterday. “He’s already been and done it. I’m kind of starting my journey.

“I look up to a guy like him because he’s scored goals when Australia has needed him the most. Hopefully some day I’ll get my first goal for the Socceroos, but for now I’m focusing on my club football.”

As for filling Cahill’s huge boots, Maclaren shook his head.

“Tim Cahill is a legend of the game, so to compare myself so early with him is ridiculous.

“I just keep doing my thing. If I can get a goal on Friday night that would let me go into camp with confidence. I’ve had a really good pre-season, so when you get that first goal you’re as confident as ever and that’s they way I feel now.”

Roar will need to put up some A-grade defence tonight against two of the best strikers in the game in Cahill and captain Bruno Fornaroli. The pair have scored five goals between them from City’s total of nine this season. “They are good players but every team has quality players,” Aloisi said.

“We’ll still play to our structures and make sure we do our job. But, of course, we have to know how Fornaroli and Cahill play, the whole team’s strengths and weaknesses. The boys are well prepared and have studied this.”

Aloisi would be eager to beat the club (then known as Melbourne Heart) that sacked him in 2013 and do so with Cahill playing.

“We want a big crowd. It’s not often you get to see Tim Cahill at Suncorp,” Aloisi said. “The last time was when he scored off that bicycle kick against China in the Asian Cup. A lot of people will want to come and see him play and see Brisbane Roar play well against Melbourne City.”

Maclaren obviously wants a standout performance too and impressing Postecoglou would be in the back of his mind.

“As a striker you need to score goals, so it was nice to get off the mark last week,” he said. “Ange knows I can score goals; John knows I can score goals. So it’s about having that confidence that the coaches give me and just give that faith back.”

Maclaren scored two goals in his first match last season. This year it took until his fourth — against Perth Glory last Sunday — to find the back of net.

“This year it’s a bit of a slow start but I’m confident. If I wasn’t creating chances I’d be worried,” he said. “We always play some ­really good stuff at Suncorp and we’re back at home again.

“We back ourselves at home, like all the boys and the coaches say. You look at our record here the last five to six years and it’s amazing.”

In fact, Roar will be trying to extend their unbeaten run at Suncorp to 10 games.

The only signs of dissent are likely to be some jeers heading midfielder Luke Brattan’s way. After seven seasons with Roar, Brattan joined City this season after a couple of seasons overseas.

“He’ll cop some boos and he’ll be prepared for that,” Maclaren said. “He’s got that character to block it out. I texted him yesterday to see what hairstyle he’ll come with tomorrow.”