Maclaren can make Socceroos number nine shirt his own, says Holman

Jamie Maclaren has “a huge chance” to become Australia’s go-to man for goals under Graham Arnold, according to his former Brisbane Roar teammate and ex-Socceroos star Brett Holman.

The veteran attacker, who famously struck twice for Australia at the 2010 World Cup, sees Maclaren’s season-long loan with Hibernian as the ideal launch pad to make the number nine Socceroos Jersey his own in the post-Tim Cahill era.

Cahill’s exit has left a void to be filled, amidst widespread concerns there is no compelling heir apparent knocking at the door.

But Roar veteran Holman, who quit the national team in 2014 with 63 caps, believes Maclaren has the capacity to stake a claim which could see him leading the line for his country in their defence of AFC Asian Cup in the UAE in four months.

“There is now a huge chance to become the starting number nine for the national team, and I can see no reason why Jamie can’t achieve that,” said the 34-year-old.

“It’s about putting your best foot forward - but there are a few others who will after that spot as well.

“It’s important to step up now for Jamie, and others like Tomi Juric and perhaps Adam Taggart.

“The Asian Cup is around the corner and there is a massive question mark over who’s going to get the nod.

“Jamie is confident in himself and knows what he wants and what he can do - and if he can improve a few little aspects to his game then he become even better.

“Every player needs to continually develop ... Macca is a pretty smart kid and will know the areas he will need to improve on as he gains in experience.”

Maclaren made his first start in his second coming for Hibs overnight, after two brief cameos off the bench.

He had an effort cleared off the line and was involved in what seemed a credible penalty shout before being substituted in the 63rd minute of the 1-1 draw at St Johnstone.

“He needs to stamp his name in Scotland and in Europe,” added Holman, who carved an 11-year career in Holland then England.

“At 25 this is a crunch time for him where he has a chance to make a really good name for himself.

“He has to play games -as he did at the back end of last season with Hibs.

“That got him a late World Cup call-up, when he was initially overlooked, and I think he was unlucky not to play in Russia.

“For me, he would have been in that squad all along because at the time he was the in-form striker (with eight goals in 13 starts in Scotland)”.

Arnold has already stated that it’s his “job to get him (Maclaren) on the pitch”, and there’s no doubt if he lights up Edinburgh again the rewards will be forthcoming.

“He is at a club where he can continue progress (on loan from 2.Bundesliga Darmstadt 98),” added Holman.

“If he scores as regularly as he did last season then you never know what can happen. There’s a chance to move to a bigger club in Scotland and into England also.”

According to Holman, Maclaren can add another dimension to his game with a few key tweaks.

“He knows what he’s doing in front of goal and running towards goal but he also needs to adapt to holding the ball up in those tight areas,” he said.

“He’s a true striker who wants to get in behind defenders but sometimes it doesn’t work out like that and you have to come in and hold the ball and be strong and maybe be a bit dirty.

“They’ll defender’s wanting to kick it up in the air and you have to take that.

“That’s part of his game which I think he’ll be working on to develop even more.”