It has been reported tonight that Kemar Roofe told the Jamaica coach that he did not wish to be called up for the World Cup qualifiers, this week.
To the delight of many Rangers supporters, the Reggae Boyz squad was confirmed earlier on Sunday with no inclusion for Roofe.
Daily Record journalist Andy Newport has quoted that Jamaica coach Paul Hall stated that the decision was at the behest of the player.
Jamaica boss Paul Hall tells @Record_Sport he left Kemar Roofe out at Rangers striker’s own request
“Kemar would have been one of the first names on my list. However, Kemar had indicated that he needs to to fully recover from his last injury. Hence his absence from the squad."
— Andy Newport (@AndyNewportDR) January 23, 2022
Credit
If Kemar Roofe had wanted to go ahead to join the squad for the World Cup qualifiers, Rangers would have been powerless to stop it and he would be doing ‘nothing wrong’ other than not acting in the club’s best interests.
More than that though, and to credit the former Leeds man, this appears to be the correct decision personally given he has just returned after injury and for his attempts to win back his place in Gio van Bronckhorst’s side – especially with Alfredo Morelos just about to jet off to Colombia for international duty.
Up for grabs is a starting spot at Parkhead in a couple of weeks time with Roofe and Cedric Itten going head to head for the opportunity. Both players made their Rangers returns on Friday against Stirling Albion at Ibrox with the race against time to find strong form and fitness.
The words above, attributed to Hall would suggest that Roofe knows his best interests are to go through the gears at home – and the games against Livingston and Ross County – as opposed to trans-atlantic travel.
Given what is at stake and the chance to make a serious impression on GvB, that choice is a very shrewd one.
Coach Hall’s first World Cup qualifying squad to face Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica.
🇲🇽: Jan. 27 (H)
🇵🇦: Jan. 30 (A)
🇨🇷: Feb. 02 (H)
.#ReggaeBoyz #QatarMotivated #JFF_Football pic.twitter.com/4k6OXKz19x— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) January 23, 2022