3 months ago
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COMING OFF his debut season with English Football League One club Burton Albion, striker Rumen Burrell is gearing up to make his debut for the Reggae Boyz against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup, which is set to begin today.
Burrell is one of the several new faces who received the call-up from Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren in his squad for the Unity Cup.
At 24 years old, Burrell is seemingly a player for the future of the programme, as he has also been listed in McClaren’s 60-man preliminary squad for the Concacaf Gold Cup.
Speaking at his first national camp, Burrell said he was excited to received the call from McClaren to suit up in the black, green and gold of Jamaica.
“It was a great feeling when the manager messaged me,” Burrell said in an interview with JFF LIVE.
“At first, I couldn’t believe, to be honest. I’ve done really well this season so I felt I really earned this kind of opportunity, so I was really happy.”
Burrell has been in good form over the past few years of his career.
The striker had scored 21 goals in 34 appearances for Cove Rangers in the Scottish League One, which had earned him a move to Burton Albion.
In his debut season with Burton, Burrell had a slow start, but soon found his goalscoring boots.
With five goals in his last nine games, Burrell ended the campaign on a tally of 11 goals and two assists, which proved crucial in his club’s relegation fight.
“Last season, I scored 23 or 24 goals. That was a really good starting point to where I wanted to get to and, obviously, I got a move to Burton,” he said.
“I didn’t have the greatest start, but the end was really, really good and I managed to score 11 goals. I’m just looking to continue that form for Jamaica as well.”
FIRST STEPS
Born in Birmingham, Burrell is eligible to represent the Reggae Boyz through his grandparents, who he stated have had a major influence throughout his family.
He explained that he still visits the island and recalls making his first steps on the beach while on a family trip to Jamaica.
“When I was one, I actually took my first steps in one of the beaches in Jamaica,” the striker recalled. “That’s one of the good stories in my life and I’ve been back a few times with my family.”
Jamaica will open their Unity Cup campaign against Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago. The winner of the match will advance to the final, while the loser will head to the third place-playoffs.
Based on the results in the competition, Jamaica will face either Nigeria or Ghana in their second game.
English (US) ·