A long time coming
Published:Saturday | June 24, 2023 | 12:53 AM
After a lengthy process, Everton winger Demarai Gray is now awaiting his international debut for Jamaica, a moment that he describes as long-awaited and is ready to be a part of the Reggae Boyz’s immediate and long-term future.
Jamaica will open their Gold Cup campaign tonight against reigning champions the United States at 9:06 in Chicago. It is a game that could see the 26-year-old make his international debut for the country of his grandparents and while he has not been in the camp long, he is excited about the potential that is in the team.
“It’s good to finally be here. I feel like it has been a long time coming for me. I’m excited and have been around the boys and it is a strong team. Everyone is together, and the vibes are good,” Gray said.
While born in the midlands in England, Gray said that he has always felt ingrained in him through his grandparents. If and when he takes the field tonight, he said that it is a moment they will feel proud of and the start of what he hopes will be a bright future.
“I have been around the culture all my life since I was born. To represent it now is a proud moment for them. I feel like where I am at in my career, the things I want to achieve I feel I can do with Jamaica. I think it is a good start to being in the Gold Cup. It’s something to achieve,” Gray said.
PLAYED WITH SOME TEAMMATES PREVIOUSLY
Gray has had the luxury of playing with some of his teammates before in the Premier League like Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey. Gray and Bailey were at Leverkusen and he played with former captain Wes Morgan while he was at Leicester City.
“Bailey helped me settle in. He was on me for a while to join (the Reggae Boyz). Wes Morgan as well when I was at Leicester City. Taught me a lot about how it is here and the ambition. And when I met the manager he expanded on it. So collectively a lot of people influenced my decision but personally, it is something that I always wanted to do,” Gray said.
In what his teammates are calling the best squad they have been a part of, Gray says he wants to ensure he can play a part not only in capturing their first continental prize but also taking Jamaica to the World Cup in 2026.
“From what the boys are saying it is the strongest squad that they have been involved in. So I am happy to influence and play my part. I feel like I am here to help the team achieve things in the tournament and in the future as well,” Gray said. “I think these are exciting times for Jamaica not only now but in the next few years. For now, we are just focused on this tournament and making sure that we are off to a good start.”