The Finnnish league is about the same level as the League of Ireland. In fact three former LoI players, Regi Nooitmeer, Shane Robinson, and Shane McFaul played for Haka recently in the Finnish league (Nooitmeer I think has moved on to Malta).
I watched Ryan Thompson in the Champions Leagues this season...he's no better than Dwayne Miller or Dwayne Kerr...Jamaica's current back-up goalkeepers.
We dont have any backup keepers except macallum... we need back shawn sawyers and we would give Thopmson a tryout cause the two dwaynes a ediat and sell out...
_________________________
BRING BACK CARL BROWN EXPERIENCE OVER EXPERIMENT......
Registered: 03/25/01
Posts: 16612
Loc: Miramar, FL, USA
Offline
Irish-based Reggae Boy eyes another call
BY SANJAY MYERS Observer staff reporter myerss@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Print this page Email A Friend!
SHAMROCK Rovers FC goalkeeper Ryan Thompson is holding onto a dream. He yearns to once again represent his beloved Jamaica.
Thompson, who played at various age-group levels for the Reggae Boyz, told the Sunday Observer he is anxious to prove his worth in the national senior set-up.
[Hide Description] THOMPSON... I get a buzz playing for Jamaica [Restore Description] 1/1
"I get a buzz playing for Jamaica and it has always been my dream to play for my country. Every day I talk about representing Jamaica," the 27-year-old said recently.
Thompson, who excelled at the Manning Cup level, both with Camperdown and Ardenne High, was a standout for local-based Premier League outfit Harbour View before leaving the shores for University of Tampa in the United States.
He spent four years playing for the university and twice won the award for Top Goalkeeper of the Year. He also took home numerous All Conference and Regional Awards.
Thompson spoke of his growth since leaving the local circuit, but shows an enthusiasm to keep improving his trade.
"My game has improved a lot and I'm reading the game a lot better. I'm playing more of a leadership role and I've realised that it is not just about (making) the big saves; I'm doing the little things that I never used to do and this comes with maturity. I've developed as a player and as a person, but I'm still willing to learn. I'm trying to be a sponge to the game," he said.
Despite his success at Tampa, Thompson feels the move to the US shoved him beyond the thoughts of the national coaches. However, expressing a degree of patriotism that overwhelms even his acrobatic prowess, he still harbours hope.
"I played for the National Under-20 team and I was the vice-captain and I also played for the Under-23s. I travelled with the senior team while I was in high school, but I have only one senior team cap. That was in the (Caribbean) Digicel Cup competition some years ago.
"However, when I went to college I was not called on. I don't think I was treated well, but if I'm called tomorrow I'll go because I just crave for that opportunity again," he said.
Having completed his bachelor's degree in marketing, Thompson last season sealed a contract deal with the Irish-based Shamrock Rovers and quickly became their first-choice shot-stopper.
Located in the capital Dublin, Rovers is the most successful football club in the Republic of Ireland and last season became the first team from that country to play in the highly-rated UEFA Europa League.
Thompson said that achievement realised another of his dreams, despite Shamrock not progressing beyond the group stage.
"We made history being the first Irish team to qualify for any major European tournament. It was a dream for me playing in the Europa League. I could only dream about playing there and actually being a part of the FIFA 2012 (video) game was a proud moment.
"I knew I would find success one day, but I never imagined it would be so quick. That is a blessing," he said.
Though enjoying his European spell, he was disappointed he did not feature in the matches against English powerhouses Tottenham Hotspur.
"I played in eight of the European games and I wanted to play against Tottenham, but it wasn't my choice. I struggled for fitness and missed the first leg. For the return match, the coach wanted to give another goalkeeper a chance to play because he wasn't given a chance in other games," he said.
