Scotland calling as Maclaren loan move beckons

Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren is poised for a January loan move with clubs in Scotland, Netherlands, Spain, France and Belgium all possible destinations.

Jamie Maclaren of SV Darmstadt 98 Source: Bongarts

The 24-year-old former A-League Golden Boot has racked up just 153 minutes for struggling 2.Bundesliga side Darmstadt 98 since signing as a free agent from Brisbane Roar in June.

All seven of his league appearances have come off the bench, leaving him well short of the game time he needs to be a leading contender, at this point, for Australia's World Cup squad.

The Scottish Premier League is shaping up as the most likely destination with Rangers, Hearts and Hiberian all in the market for strikers and likely to flag interest.

It's been reported in Scotland that Hearts have already made contact, which Maclaren's agent Paddy Dominguez says is "news to him".

Maclaren's Scottish-born father is a life-long Hearts fan, and the club was once home to fellow Socceroos Ryan and Dylan McGowan.

Should Rangers come in for him, then Maclaren could find himself going head-to-head with Australia teammate and Hoops playmaker Tom Rogic.

Dominguez, who is currently in the UK, explained: "it's premature to say at this point he's going to Scotland, however I'm certainly not ruling that out.

"Jamie's goal is to go to the World Cup and to do that he has to be playing regular first team football.

"Darmstadt are open to letting him go out on loan if the right opportunity comes along. They will have the final say, though a loan move makes sense for all parties.

"They want it to be at a decent standard, and I've now put some feelers out and we'll see what comes back."

Maclaren signed  with Darmstadt in May under former German international Torsten Frings.

But his place in the squad was put under more of a cloud after Frings was sacked as coach two weeks ago and replaced by Dirk Schuster.

Though willing to loan out Maclaren, who has a three-year deal, Darmstadt are not prepared to sanction a sale - at this point.