Gray’s early Boyz showing pleases Hallgrimsson

National senior men's head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson contends Reggae Boyz winger Demarai Gray's strong showing against Trinidad and Tobago displayed the reason they encouraged the attacker to make the international switch.

Gray scored a brace in Jamaica's 4-1 win over the Soca Warriors on Wednesday, in their second Concacaf Gold Cup Group A game in St Louis, Missouri, as they took a step closer to securing qualification to the quarter-finals.

Gray made his international debut last Saturday against the United States of America (USA), providing an assist in their 1-1 draw. Hallgrimsson said he is pleased with Gray's performance, as the player celebrated his 27th birthday in style on Wednesday.

"Everybody knew he was a long time coming. I think we started to talk about him coming to Jamaica two years ago. Everyone saw how good of an individual talent he is, taking players on, creating danger, real quality with everything he did with the ball, and he is fast as well," Hallgrimsson said.

"It will take time for him to get into the tactics and get to know the players around him, but it was a good birthday present he gave to us, scoring two goals. I think he really had a good game."

Hallgrimsson said that Jamaica's reformed attack, which includes options Gray, Michail Antonio and Leon Bailey, can evolve and get better, highlighting the importance of tournament football in the growth as a unit.

"When we have a tournament like this, you can always add things to improve the understanding between individual players. You can have a lot of meetings to explain things. That is helping us a lot, and why it is important for us to be here," Hallgrimsson said.

Jamaica are tied with the USA on four points but are in second place in the group because of goal difference. They can secure their place in the quarter-finals with a win or draw against St Kitts and Nevis in their final group game on Sunday in Santa Clara, California.