Former Jamaica international Jermaine ‘Teddy’ Johnson has always been instrumental in lifting a team’s performance, and despite being out of action for almost a year, his flair is by no means lost.

Johnson assigned himself the point man to carry the hopes of Tivoli Gardens’ title bid in the 2015/16 Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) season, when he made a strong return to the battlefield.

The highly talented player, who brings a level of individualism to the table, wore the captain’s armband in his team’s goal-less draw against Cavalier in their opening game at the Edward Seaga Complex on Sunday.

The 35-year-old displayed his usual pace and guile against the youthful Cavalier defenders to lead a flat-looking Tivoli Gardens unit at the start, but was unsuccessful in getting on the score sheet.

Even though he possesses the individuals assets to change a game, Johnson insisted that it will take a team effort to get the job done.

“We never really got into the game early; but it’s the first game so we have to just come out the next game and just try to do our best, keep the confidence going and remain focused.

“I honestly don’t believe that I am going to be the one to take them to the title; we have the team, so we have to work with the team and then everything will come together. We have to believe in ourselves

and go out there and perform well every game and the title will come,” he told journalists in a post-game interview.

The attacking midfielder is portrayed as a very explosive and skilful player with amazing dribbling abilities, who goes by defenders seemingly at will, attributes that have earned him stints at Sheffield Wednesday,

Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic and Bradford City.

Back he has been given the licence to use those assets to push the team tempo, and he certainly has the ammunition to deliver the goods.

“All the time you would be looking to play overseas, but I am just here right now concentrating on this Tivoli Gardens team. Every time you play you want to win a trophy or the competition on a whole, and

that is my aim to help the team to win the league,” he said.

“Once I am fit everything is possible; I haven’t played any competitive football since October when I injured my shoulder, and I just came down here to try and get fit and see what is possible for me in the long run,” he added.

Johnson made his Jamaica national team debut in 2001, and last wore the Jamaica shirt in a 1-1 draw against Panama in a World Cup qualifying match in 2013.

With some 75 international caps for the senior Reggae Boyz, Johnson has not given up on international football.

“You always want to play for your country, but it is up to the coach and the staffs to give you back the chance. It is also up to you as a player as well to try to play for the coaching staff to see you, so that is the plan,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Tivoli Coach Christopher Bender also believes that the experience of the fleet-footed Johnson will be valuable to the team’s output.

“Teddy brings experience and talent and he is a very dedicated player now (because) he is more mature. He helps the team in terms of the training and how he imparts knowledge to the youngsters and he is very valuable to the team and we will be better,” he said.