Jon Russell turned down an international call-up from Jamaica last month to keep playing for Conor Hourihane’s Barnsley, the interim head coach has revealed.
Midfielder Russell has four caps for the Reggae Boyz, now managed by former England boss Steve McClaren, but has been a regular starter for the Reds for the first time this season.
Russell – who scored twice in a 4-1 win over Bolton on Saturday – has said he would like to play for Jamaica regularly in the future, including at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the summer.
Hourihane told the Chronicle: “He should have had a hat-trick and I would have been delighted for him.
“Jon is under-appreciated. He’s a really good footballer who can handle the ball. He’s bought into everything I’ve wanted. I have always got on well with him even under the previous regime.
“Over the last international break there was a chance for him to go to Jamaica but he stayed because he wanted to play for me and I really admire that. He’s someone I really like as a person around the place. He brings a little bit of a different energy. I connect with him really really well. He put a big performance in for me and I am delighted.”
