McClean calls out 'disrespect' after Ireland call-up following Wrexham transfer
Wrexham star James McClean has hit out at "disrespect" surrounding his call-up to the Irish squad despite playing in the fourth tier of English football.
McClean, 34, joined Wrexham, who won promotion back to the Football League for the first time in 15 years last season. The Irishman joined from Wigan for a nominal fee having played in every single Championship game for the Latics last term, but couldn't stop them from dropping down to the third-tier.
Despite now playing his football in League Two, the former Premier League star has been given the chance to extend his senior Irish caps, having won 101 already. McClean was in Ireland's squad in June, playing in the European Qualifiers against France, Greece, and Gibraltar.
And despite being a regular, McClean's inclusion has come under fierce criticism. On top of that, manager Stephen Kenny has even admitted that it's "not ideal" for the 34-year-old to be playing at that level.
McClean has taken to social media to hit back. The midfielder has claimed that League Two is a better standard than that on offer in Ireland and most of Scotland.
McClean fumed: "The disrespect shown by people who has either done very little in the game or never kicked a ball in their life probably couldn't tell you if a ball was blew up or stuffed, just because you talk a good game or write a good game does not change the above. League Two this and League Two that talk, judging the league. Listen to the same idiots be up in arms calling for League of Ireland players to in the squad and starting.
"I respect the hell out of LOI it made me, but do not tell me it's a better standard. Outside of the top two clubs in Scotland, that's not a better standard either. I'll argue all day that, if this insults anybody by the way, then good - it was meant to."
McClean has slammed the standard of football in Ireland in Scotland in self-defence (Getty)Ireland are scheduled to play two more Euro Qualifiers this month against two tough, top-ten-global-ranked teams. They play France on Sept. 7 at the Parc des Princes, followed by Holland three days later at the Aviva Stadium.
Kelly's team currently finds itself third in Group B having played three games. They trail Greece (2nd) and France (1st) and are level on points with Holland (4th), who hold a game in hand.
Only two from the group are guaranteed spots at next year's Euros, which is being held across Germany. Ireland did not qualify for 2020's edition of the tournament but did feature in 2016, where they managed to reach the Round of 16 before being defeated by host nation France.
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
