James McClean M Wrexham b.1989

[Olé Olé]

If it was a Northern Irish born player switching to England, I'm sure it would be met with anger by the Northern Ireland fans.

Of course, in order to do that, a Northern Irish born player would need to have an English born parent or grandparent to have a chance of such a switch. I think you'll be a long time waiting to put your question to the test.

No, I'm referring to English-born players. Take Michael Keane switching to the England from Ireland, with worries that Sean McGinty will follow suit.

[Olé Olé]

1. O'Neill was absolutely wrong to even entertain the notion of approaching either McClean or Wilson.
2. What do you define as a 'sectarian flag'?
3. I said he comes across as a bit of a sectarian bigot. In his press statements eg, 'not many Catholics' in the squads (how many is not many James?), it comes across that he is uncomfortable with Protestants. He seems eager to bang on about where he says his prayers...why?

Fair of you to acknowledge that. But that only served to exemplify some of the double-standards that I feel are more at large from Northern Ireland's side.

A flag which holds sectarian connotations.

Again, I don't live in the North and, honestly, I have barely ventured into the North but I'm presuming that where McClean lives, for the most part, the lines between 'protestant' and 'catholic' are fairly black and white. I don't think he intends any sectarian bigotry in his comments, I think that should be set aside as naivety on his part and the actual intention of the comments should only be interpreted. It's not as if he's interchanging 'african-american' with the 'N-word' with the actual intention of bigotry.

[Olé Olé]

What does that mean, exactly?

How many times must I ask? I'm just wondering are there flags in Windsor Park which make sectarian references? I've never been.


Do you mean the lines between where people say their prayers?

Not at all, I'm referring to the fact that McClean's comments infer a black and white, protestant/unionist and catholic/republican approach. I'm only saying that when McClean speaks he uses these terms maybe due to a combination of habit and belief. I'd go for habit, rather than belief.


Same rules apply.

If we have any player in our set up who harbours realistic ambitions of playing for England at Senior International level, they should do the right thing and chase their dream with England.

At times, the benefit of the player should come before the association though. I don't hold any grudge against Micheal Keane realising that his ambition to play for England could be realised, now that he was playing regular for Man United's reserves and making the bench for the first team at his age. It was far more difficult for him to envisage that when he was playing under 17 for Ireland.
It's very difficult for a player to know, at a young age, whether they have a realistic shot of playing senior football for the national side they so wish. The player may not realise that their ambition is realistic until the age of 22, as was the case for James McClean.

[geysir]

Official capacity? Who cares about the official capacity? I don't think James is worried about how the British State chooses to represent itself.
Why are you being deliberately obtuse about this?

You can be offended at whatever the hell you want to be if you attend an Irish rugby match. If the fact that Denis Leamy or Donnchadh O'Callaghan is in the team I think the presence of them should offend more than a Tricolour.

For the record, James is not quoted as saying he was offended by the Union Jack.

And where on earth do people get all these add-on supposed quotes/interpretations from?

[DannyInvincible]

Some fans bring them - I suspect will see more fans with them, going forward.

Weren't you disputing this under your more obstinate persona on another forum? Why do you think their appearance will become more prevalent? Is that a good thing or bad thing, in your opinion?


3. I'm sure some of republicanism's founding fathers would be well impressed by young James using the word "Catholic" as being interchangeable with "Republican".

They'd probably think he was misguided, naive and careless.


Correct - he is merely uncomfortable with it.

Does such make him a sectarian bigot? I wouldn't have thought so. It's not his national flag.

As far as the Union flag is concerned, it's no more or less sectarian than, say, the Irish tricolour. NI fans can wave it all they want; it is their flag, after all.

[tricky_colour]

As far as the Union flag is concerned, it's no more or less sectarian than, say, the Irish tricolour. NI fans can wave it all they want; it is their flag, after all.


Indeed they can, but they can't force people who don't want to play for them to play for them.

[DannyInvincible]

Indeed they can, but they can't force people who don't want to play for them to play for them.

Agreed. They can't have their cake and eat it.

Talk of Irish nationals like McClean being unwilling to play for a British association due to bigotry, sectarianism or some chip on their shoulder is therefore misguided. They simply identify as neither British nor Northern Irish and would rather play for the FAI, through whom their national identity is actually channelled.

[Predator]

1. No, I have never disputed that some Northern Ireland fans bring Union Flags to Northern Ireland matches. I think we will see a few more in future because some fans will object to those they perceive wish to see the demise of Northern Ireland giving off about Union Flags at Northern Ireland matches. I'd prefer the Union Flags we're not brought, but it doesn't exercise me that they are because it is the flag of Northern Ireland. I would like to see more St Patrick's Crosses at our matches.
Clearly, to some, the unionist identity of the Northern Ireland team is vastly more important than cross-community relations. And these same people accuse everyone else of damaging the so-called "cross-community" team.

[micls]

Not Brazil: I'm not sure why you differentiate between realistic and unrealistic ambitions. When it comes down to the morality behind it what's the difference?

If a player wants to play for another country, I don't see why if they can or not should change your opinion. Surely you either don't want any players playing for you who want to play for someone else, or you want them all? I doubt there's many 18,19,20 year olds who are confident they'll get capped for their first choice country. I don't see why McClean hedging his bets is any different from someone less talented doing the same.

[Predator]

I think, to some, they are not prepared to dilute their identity to appease those who wish Northern Ireland and it's international football teams didn't exist - or so they say.

They would tell you, with some validity, that Northern Ireland only exists because of the Union.

They would tell you, with authority, that the IFA is a British Association.

They would also tell you that they will give equal support to any player, regardless of background, who gives his all in a
Northern Ireland shirt - their support of Paddy McCourt, Niall McGinn, Shane Ferguson etc would suggest this to be the case.

I agree with Danny Invincible on this issue of flags etc - they are a red herring.So the idea of making the NI team as cross-community as possible is a bit disingenuous, when it staunchly remains a symbol of their unionist identity.

The IFA cited "Football For All" in response to McClean's comments about not feeling at home or welcome, but remained deafeningly silent when it came to the things that contribute to his, and others', discomfort. That is telling.

[DannyInvincible]

1. No, I have never disputed that some Northern Ireland fans bring Union Flags to Northern Ireland matches.

Was it just their appearance at Windsor Park you were disputing then?


2. That's what I said in post #971

That comment was directed more generally rather than at you specifically. I was backing you up.

[DannyInvincible]

So the idea of making the NI team as cross-community as possible is a bit disingenuous, when it staunchly remains a symbol of their unionist identity.

The IFA cited "Football For All" in response to McClean's comments about not feeling at home or welcome, but remained deafeningly silent when it came to the things that contribute to his, and others', discomfort. That is telling.

The IFA already commented on the anthem issue a few months ago, via a written piece by Gerry Armstrong. They have no intention of changing it because they fear upsetting current NI fans who'd presumably view it as a dilution of identity, or so they say anyway. Deflection of responsibility?

[DannyInvincible]

If it was a Northern Irish born player switching to England, I'm sure it would be met with anger by the Northern Ireland fans.

Same brand of anger or a little less vitriolic?

[tricky_colour]

No issues with that whatsoever.

Such players should not wear a Northern Ireland shirt, unless they have chased their dream with the FAI and sought a switch to the IFA.


Or play for the Republic where they have a chance of winning something.

I mean, there is no NI rugby team is there?

[Olé Olé]

I would like Northern Irish born players, with boyhood dreams of playing for the South, to contact the FAI at Under 19 level, and ask them to be considered for inclusion in FAI representative sides.



Why should these players have to contact the FAI? I think they should be treated with normal practice for any other player and be offered a call-up by an association for which they are eligible, namely the FAI.

Obviously, there are caveats in this proposal. But it offers players that are of sufficient quality the opportunity to play with the FAI, because the offer should be made on the football association's part, not on the players part. The FAI's net can be cast on the 32 counties and so selection process should reflect this.

Although this approach would create tension as another "poaching our players" racket would be inevitable and, of course, clearly ignorant of facts.

[Predator]

The IFA already commented on the anthem issue a few months ago, via a written piece by Gerry Armstrong. They have no intention of changing it because they fear upsetting current NI fans who'd presumably view it as a dilution of identity, or so they say anyway. Deflection of responsibility?
Can we take it that Gerry Armstrong's opinion in a regional paper constitutes the official IFA line? I'm not sure.

It is absolutely a deflection of their responsibility to the people of the north, for whom they govern football with FIFA's permission. If the IFA truly wanted to be "cross-community", they'd catch themselves on and become as neutral as possible. Ostensibly, however, they are more concerned about the identity issues of hardcore union-jack-waving, god-save-the-queen-singing unionists.

[BonnieShels]

For the record, James is not quoted as saying he was offended by the Union Jack.

And where on earth do people get all these add-on supposed quotes/interpretations from?

I should have said uncomfortable rather than offended. My bad.

Though since using words interchangeably is all the rage around here I figure. What the hell!!!


Or play for the Republic where they have a chance of winning something.

I mean, there is no NI rugby team is there?

I think you should investigate the reasoning behind the split in soccer before mentioning rugby union.

[Olé Olé]

The IFA already commented on the anthem issue a few months ago, via a written piece by Gerry Armstrong. They have no intention of changing it because they fear upsetting current NI fans who'd presumably view it as a dilution of identity, or so they say anyway. Deflection of responsibility?

In this instance, the imbalance is obviously re-inforced. So, steps by the IFA to reflect the cross-community that exists is considered dilution? This merely serves to compound the fact that the current identity does not and will not facilitate certain members of the community, such as James McClean. Then again, certain people have expressed that he comes across as a bigot. The mind boggles.

[Predator]

In this instance, the imbalance is obviously re-inforced. So, steps by the IFA to reflect the cross-community that exists is considered dilution? This merely serves to compound the fact that the current identity does not and will not facilitate certain members of the community, such as James McClean. Then again, certain people have expressed that he comes across as a bigot. The mind boggles.Yes, indeed. Some would have you believe that it's all James' problem for not warming to the union jacks, god save the queen and the like. He should be proud to play for the country he was born in! The IFA and IFA fans have no responsibility to bear. :confused:

[tricky_colour]

Be nice if he scored against Man U today!!

Last minute goal costing them the title!!

[Olé Olé]

Yes, indeed. Some would have you believe that it's all James' problem for not warming to the union jacks, god save the queen and the like. He should be proud to play for the country he was born in! The IFA and IFA fans have no responsibility to bear. :confused:

Yeah, but did you not see Gerry Armstrong's travelling around to schools in Derry? Cross-community progress is nigh!

[DannyInvincible]

Can we take it that Gerry Armstrong's opinion in a regional paper constitutes the official IFA line? I'm not sure.

I don't have the article at hand but I remember him saying the IFA discussed it (after he'd conducted discussions with players from nationalist backgrounds) and that was the conclusion they reached, so I assumed it was the official line.


It is absolutely a deflection of their responsibility to the people of the north, for whom they govern football with FIFA's permission. If the IFA truly wanted to be "cross-community", they'd catch themselves on and become as neutral as possible.

To be fair, I think their primary responsibility should be to their own fans. I also think it's important to acknowledge the 'Football for All' programme and the strides they've made in battling sectarianism. It would be grossly unfair to cast them as anti-Catholic or sectarian. They can also play whatever they want as their anthem. In saying all that, I also acknowledge that purporting to be a "cross-community" entity might be somewhat disingenuous, especially whilst continuing to use 'GSTQ' as their anthem. I don't know if NI could ever truly be a cross-community entity in the sense that it is a British unionist entity by its very existence.


Ostensibly, however, they are more concerned about the identity issues of hardcore union-jack-waving, god-save-the-queen-singing unionists.

My insinuation was that perhaps such identity issues reside not just within the fan base, but within the IFA itself. Passing responsibility on to these apparent fans with issues ensures the IFA don't have to risk being explicitly recalcitrant or appearing overly hardcore themselves. If they had a will to change the anthem, they'd do it and tell their fans with issues to get with the programme. Compromise is kind of what being cross-community is all about, after all.

[Predator]

To be fair, I think their primary responsibility should be to their own fans. I also think it's important to acknowledge the 'Football for All' programme and the strides they've made in battling sectarianism. It would be grossly unfair to cast them as anti-Catholic or sectarian.I wouldn't cast them as anti-Catholic either. I'm certain that the IFA and their fans are happy to have players of any and all backgrounds, including those who don't even come from the north.Just so long as they recognise whose team it is. As regards their responsibility, you're probably right, but I think it should go without saying that as the governing body they have a moral duty to all football fans in the north. Especially if they are so intent on this idea of being "cross-community". (You raise an interesting point about the capacity of an explicitly unionist entity ever being cross-community, by the way!)


My insinuation was that perhaps such identity issues reside not just within the fan base, but within the IFA itself. Passing responsibility on to these apparent fans with issues ensures the IFA don't have to risk being explicitly recalcitrant or appearing overly hardcore themselves. If they had a will to change the anthem, they'd do it and tell their fans with issues to get with the programme. Compromise is kind of what being cross-community is all about, after all.Exactly - how it is that fans who cling zealously to the unionist colouring of the Northern Ireland team can hold the governing body of football in the north to ransom puzzles me a little.

[Stuttgart88]

He took some whack from Phil Jones in the first half. For a sec I thought he could be absolutely crocked but he just shrugged it off and walked away. Phew...

[Newryrep]

Why should these players have to contact the FAI? I think they should be treated with normal practice for any other player and be offered a call-up by an association for which they are eligible, namely the FAI.

Obviously, there are caveats in this proposal. But it offers players that are of sufficient quality the opportunity to play with the FAI, because the offer should be made on the football association's part, not on the players part. The FAI's net can be cast on the 32 counties and so selection process should reflect this.

Although this approach would create tension as another "poaching our players" racket would be inevitable and, of course, clearly ignorant of facts.

Because at 18 you should be mature enough to know what your nationality is - its deemed an adult age in most cases /. Personally i dont have a problem with a declaration at 18 though it will never happen

[DannyInvincible]

On the Anthem issue, I am unaware that the IFA have sought the opinion of Northern Ireland fans.

Apparently, Gerry did research, although he doesn't go into much detail. Not sure whether or not it was on behalf of the IFA either. He does mention having a brief, so presumably it was.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy337/Mr_Parker2009/scan0099.jpg

[horton]

Only, he wasn't giving "as good as he got". He wasn't dishing out death threats and the like.

Hate to drag up an old comment but where the hell did I say he was dishing out death threats?! McClean had been receiving abusive messages on twitter since he made the switch, instead of ignoring them he responded and was having a bit of banter at the neanderthals comments winding them up, naive to do so yes but hardly justifying getting threats made against him. Nowhere did I say he deserved this/brought this on himself or any other such BS Predator.

[Predator]

Hate to drag up an old comment but where the hell did I say he was dishing out death threats?! McClean had been receiving abusive messages on twitter since he made the switch, instead of ignoring them he responded and was having a bit of banter at the neanderthals comments winding them up, naive to do so yes but hardly justifying getting threats made against him. Nowhere did I say he deserved this/brought this on himself or any other such BS Predator.Chill out.
I didn't say that you said that. I was pointing out that saying "he gave as good as he got" would imply that his responses were on the same level as those who were attacking him, that there was some kind of parity. We both agree that there is no parity.

[horton]

Chill out.
I didn't say that you said that. I was pointing out that saying "he gave as good as he got" would imply that his responses were on the same level as those who were attacking him, that there was some kind of parity. We both agree that there is no parity.
Don't worry it's all good:) just seemed like my comment may have been taken out of context so had to call you up on it.

[youngirish]

I am led to believe that the perpetrator is a 16 year old kid who is mortified that his comments have been taken out of context.
Poor lad. I feel for him - I really do. I'm welling up just typing this thinking of how upsetting this whole episode has been for the young man.

[AlaskaFox]

Can't we just drop the sh!te talk and get on with admiring McClean in the euros?

This has been the eligibility thread for the last 3 or 4 pages.

Roy Keane was praising McClean in his Sunday Sun column yesterday, saying how he admires McClean for not just being happy making the 23.

[dahamsta]

No more eligibility discussion in this thread.

Not Brazil, I've asked you several times to stop post count whoring on Foot.ie, and to use Multi-Quote. I've even linked to the instructions, yet rather than have the courtesy to even acknowledge my requests, you continue to post in this style. From now on my policy on this is to bin these posts.

Back on topic please. The clue is in the thread title.

[DannyInvincible]

Liam Brady is backing McClean to play a "huge role" at the Euros: http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2012/0517/321339-brady-backing-for-mcclean-and-doyle/


Speaking at the launch of RTÉ’s Euro 2012 coverage, Brady said the 23-year-old could be in line for a surprise start against Croatia in the first game in Poznan on 10 June.

He said: "I think he can play a huge role. Trapattoni places a great deal of his selection on what he sees in training and whether lads are really sharp. If McClean demonstrates that, I think the way he plays is actually something he really admires.

"If he doesn’t start in the first game, I can see him getting games. I think there might be a possibility he starts in the first game."

Is Trap likely to drop McGeady or Duff in order to start McClean? Would be quite a statement of faith in someone so inexperienced at this level.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think there is a 0% chance of Duff or McGeady being dropped for the first game, and a very slim chance for subsequent games. I think he will be ahead of Hunt, but he'll only start if Duffer or McGeady is injured. Those two are still our most important players alongside Dunne and vital to our game plan.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Hmm, in that case, don't mind Duff taking a 'knock' then.

Love to see McClean get on as he has a more direct style.

[Charlie Darwin]

But Duff is our main source of set piece ball, both as winner and taker. Plus we need him and McGeady to help us hold up the ball in advanced positions and, in rare instances, bring other players into the game. If we had McClean in the team, we would literally be passing him the ball and asking him to run at the full back and put in a cross... to no one... every time. That would work well when the game is broken up but in the early stages I think it would be a real disadvantage.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Maybe, but just reckon Duff doesn't have the energy anymore and this is the McClean thread and place to 'big' him up.

The likes of him are the future for the WCQ's.

[Charlie Darwin]

Why don't you think Duff has the energy anymore? He played 90 minutes in just about every game as Fulham wrapped up the season in great form.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Just looked tired and predictable when he plays for Ireland.

Like I say, I just prefer McClean's style.

[Charlie Darwin]

Does he look more tired and predictable than the rest of the team?

[ArdeeBhoy]

In that position, yes.

What's yer point, if any?

[Charlie Darwin]

I think the system is predictable and makes everybody who plays in it look predictable, but the only area of the pitch where we can actually conjure a bit of magic is on the wings and Robbie around the box.

We only have three properly technical wide players who can hold up the ball and bring others into play: Duff, McGeady and Lawrence. So I think Trap is taking a big risk leaving Lawrence at home. If we lost Duff and, god forbid, McGeady, I think we would have to radically alter the game plan. Fahey can play there at a pinch but his fitness is in doubt too.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Hmm, would disagree almost completely. Looks like we'll have to beg to differ on this one.

[Charlie Darwin]

Don't get me wrong, I think McClean has a very important role. We seem to create about 2-3 solid chances per game and usually wind up scoring at least one of them, so we are one of the most efficient teams in world football, but I think McClean is far more valuable in the last 30 minutes than the first 60.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Maybe, but just let's say one of his rivals hasn't really impressed me in about 5 years now...

And I've given up on them ever doing anything.

[Charlie Darwin]

I haven't been impressed by Alan O'Brien in a long time either.

[tricky_colour]

One plus for McClean is that most of the opposition would be rather unfamiliar with him, but I expect they will do their homework.
However as he is still developing, he is more likely to produce I surprise then say Duff or McGeady who are pretty much 'set in their ways'.
But then the downside would be his lack of experience, but the unknown always has an allure.

[SkStu]

Just looked tired and predictable when he plays for Ireland.

Like I say, I just prefer McClean's style.

He always looks tired. Always. That's his thing...

[DeLorean]

If any of the wingers were to be dropped it would have to be McGeady. I'm a big McGeady fan but he definitely does his best work on the left. Duff is better on the left also but adapts better to life on the right than McGeady. I am more than happy for McClean to play the impact sub role for this tournament anyway.

[DannyInvincible]

If any of the wingers were to be dropped it would have to be McGeady. I'm a big McGeady fan but he definitely does his best work on the left. Duff is better on the left also but adapts better to life on the right than McGeady. I am more than happy for McClean to play the impact sub role for this tournament anyway.

I understand that one of the reasons Trap called McClean into the squad early is to try him out on the right and see how he can cut inside onto his left and cut up play. Trap envisages McClean as someone who can play on either side; not just the left.