Jamaica coach Steve McClaren says he is expecting his side to win against Bermuda tonight.

McClaren addressed the media yesterday before his side trained on the pitch at Flora Duffy Stadium and while complimentary about his opposition, the former England coach made it clear that his team are coming to win.

“We know it’s not going to be an easy game,” McClaren said.

“We have experienced these games where we’re expected to win. We have to be professional, do our job and make sure we match the spirit, and make sure that we get the win. That’s what we came here for, it’s what we expect and therefore we have to deliver.”

Ranked 21st in the Concacaf region, Bermuda is the lowest-ranked team in the final stage of qualifying with Jamaica, the seventh-best side, but McLaren was quick to praise Michael Findlay and his squad for making it this far.

“Bermuda has done unbelievable to be at this stage,” the 64-year-old said.

“I’ve watched many games and I’ve seen their great spirit. I watched them beat Cuba and they were two nil up against Honduras at half time before losing 5-3 in the end.

“Before we think about tactics, we have to respect Bermuda. Why? Because of the spirit that they’ve got in the camp within the group. You can see that when they play, you can see that when they score and celebrate together. They have had good results to get to this stage, I’ve said to all our players, this is not going to be an easy game.

“We need to fight, be together and match Bermuda’s spirit. If we do that, then we have a good chance of winning the game, if we don’t, Bermuda can be very dangerous.”

McClaren again took the opportunity to express his admiration for Nahki Wells, a player he signed on loan from Burnley when he was coach at Queens Park Rangers.

“Nahki Wells is very dangerous,” McClaren said.

“I signed him for QPR when we were struggling at the time and needed a goalscorer. He was fantastic, not just on the field but off the field. He’s a great character, very bubbly and positive, and a goalscorer all his career.

“No matter what age, he’s the most dangerous player but Bermuda has other good players. I like Djair Parfitt and Kane Crichlow, people like that, they’ve got a good balance to the team.”

McClaren is eager to take the Reggae Boyz back to the biggest football tournament in the world for the first time in nearly 30 years, with their sole appearance coming in France in 1998. He accepted the Jamaica job in July last year after leaving his job as an assistant coach at Manchester United with the lure of the World Cup hard to resist.

“That’s why I came a year ago,” he said.

“Of course that was the enticement and we’re in the final stages of that. We’ve been preparing for a year and I had no hesitation once there was an interest from Jamaica to be national coach.

“I knew them before from working with Fifa and it would take a lot to make me leave Manchester United and this job did.

“I hope it’s justified and I hope I can help. That’s the key thing, that’s what I’m here to do, to help Jamaica get to the World Cup.”