Trinidad and Tobago’s Scottish-based midfielder Brent Rahim is setting his mind on forcing his way back into the National Team under new coach Leo Beenhakker.
That was the indication given by the talented Falkirk player on Friday as he explained the ups and downs of his current season which saw him slip to the bench for Falkirk and out of the National team which he last played for in a 3-0 loss to Mexico in Puebla City.
The 26-year-old celebrated Falkirk’s winning of the Scottish First Division last week alongside countryman Russell Latapy. The win also booked their place into the Premier League for next season but Rahim could be left considering other options as his contract runs out at the end of the season.
“Honestly speaking, this has been a very difficult year for me in terms of playing time. I have been in and out of the Falkirk team and then I got dropped from the national team during the latter part of last year. I have been training and playing regularly with the reserves and getting short runs with the first team but it just hasn’t been good enough,” Rahim told TTFF Media on Friday.
His agent is carded to hold talks with Falkirk next week and Rahim is hoping that there will be some resolution regarding his playing time. Possible moves to Belgium or the German Bundesliga are in the pipeline but Rahim said that the chance of playing in the Premier League with Falkirk could also lead to him signing a new contract once an offer comes through.
“There are possible options but they have said here that new contracts will be on the table for some of the guys and obviously new faces will be coming in for next season. The main thing is I will be better off at a club where I’m getting playing time. Last year turned out tough because I gave a lot of my time to the national team and at the same time the club team was flying high in the League which meant it was always going to be difficult for me to get back into the first team. And then just like that I didn’t get recalled to the National team which came like a kick in the chest for me,” added Rahim, who has been used mostly in a right midfield and wingback position at Falkirk.
“Once there is some sort of compromise which could see me getting back into the first team then I will be happy but if not then I’ll obviously have to move on because the main thing for me now is to get back into first team action.”
The former West Ham United player is hoping to touch base with Beenhakker this month when the Dutchman visits Scotland to meet with T&T’s overseas pros and then possibly return home to get in a few sessions with the team once the chance arises in May. Dundee United striker Jason Scotland is also hoping to get back into the mix. Rahim's return could give Beenhakker options to consider with Silvio Spann, Carlos Edwards, Leslie Fitzpatrick, Arnold Dwarika, Angus Eve, Dwight Yorke and David Nakhid at his disposal.
“I’m thankful for (Bertille) St Clair for giving me the chance to get in the team but it was also disappointing to just get shelved last year,” said Rahim. “Now I’m hoping that I can come back and add something positive to the team under the new coach. I’ve kept on training and I am still willing to come back and give whatever I can in my capacity as a player for the team.”
Rahim, who rose to the spotlight when he made his senior debut in 2000 in a team which included Stern John, Dwight Yorke, Russell Latapy, David Nakhid, Angus Eve, Anthony Rougier, Marvin Andrews and others, is hopeful of having similar impact this time around, stating also that Latapy’s appointment as assistant coach was big news at Falkirk.
“From my understanding, he’s looking forward to coming back home and getting involved in the national team again and it’s been big news at the club here. The new coach obviously is a plus at the moment and I think all of the guys are just waiting on the chance to start working under him and I think Russell is just as enthusiastic as everyone else,” ended Rahim who netted for Falkirk’s Reserves in a 1-1 draw with Greenock Morton on Tuesday.