James McClean M Wrexham b.1989

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 26/03/2015, 2:41 PM

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/socc...road-1.2153414

Was wanted by Celtic, Hull and Derby but stayed loyal to Wigan. Hopefully Hull and Derby renew their interest in the summer.

**Charlie Darwin** · 26/03/2015, 2:43 PM

Celtic would be a backward step I think. A good move to a Championship club even should see him aiming to return to the Premier League.

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 26/03/2015, 2:45 PM

I think McClean's name carries enough cachet to get a move to a lower bottom half Premier League team at the very least.

**jbyrne** · 27/03/2015, 8:58 AM

Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/socc...road-1.2153414

Was wanted by Celtic, Hull and Derby but stayed loyal to Wigan. Hopefully Hull and Derby renew their interest in the summer.

I see kyle Minogue has taken time away from pop world to have a dig at our national team in the comments section. why cant kyle and all the other rugger bandwagoners just enjoy their success without having to use it to have a pop at our football team?

at least our football team generally perform beyond their abilities at world cups unlike the rugby teams over the years

**DannyInvincible** · 27/03/2015, 9:21 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

why cant kyle and all the other rugger bandwagoners just enjoy their success without having to use it to have a pop at our football team?

The football lot remind Kyle that there is a bigger world out there beyond these isles. Kyle doesn't like that because it makes him feel small.

**geysir** · 27/03/2015, 9:46 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

I see kyle Minogue has taken time away from pop world to have a dig at our national team in the comments section. why cant kyle and all the other rugger bandwagoners just enjoy their success without having to use it to have a pop at our football team?

at least our football team generally perform beyond their abilities at world cups unlike the rugby teams over the years

Somewhere else there was one comment from Kyle that I liked "Irish and Polish have many links – but who has the best potatoes?"

**jbyrne** · 27/03/2015, 9:58 AM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

The football lot remind Kyle that there is a bigger world out there beyond these isles. Kyle doesn't like that because it makes him feel small.

I enjoy the rugby success as much as anyone but are there more than about 8 rugby countries that you can actually take seriously?
next we'll have the GAA compromise rules heads slagging us when they beat Australia in a one off match!

**DeLorean** · 27/03/2015, 10:58 AM

Aul Kyle really doesn't deserve this discussion.

**SkStu** · 27/03/2015, 1:01 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

I see kyle Minogue has taken time away from pop world to have a dig at our national team in the comments section. why cant kyle and all the other rugger bandwagoners just enjoy their success without having to use it to have a pop at our football team?

We should be so lucky - lucky, lucky, lucky.

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 27/03/2015, 5:45 PM

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-31099317.html

That was a beautiful open letter that James composed. I know people said that someone else probably composed it for him but I have faith in the boy.

<MOD EDIT>

Nothing in that article calls Dave Whelan's character into question

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 28/03/2015, 2:16 AM

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-31101070.html

Hot off the presses.

**Charlie Darwin** · 28/03/2015, 2:41 AM

That's really interesting. I love the final quote

**DannyInvincible** · 28/03/2015, 3:24 AM

James is one of our team's real personalities. I've always been a big fan of the guy and been impressed by his conviction, determination and athletic discipline, but I think he has truly matured over the past few years. Great lad, great character, great spirit. I'm proud he's Irish and to have him in our team.

**DeLorean** · 28/03/2015, 8:47 AM

Seems like Celtic will be a no brainer for him should they come knocking again.

**tetsujin1979** · 28/03/2015, 10:14 AM

Not that I wouldn't like to see him at Celtic Park, and playing in Europe, but you'd have to imagine he'd be subject to the same abuse that Neil Lennon got there, possibly even worse given his views on wearing the poppy, and the ever-growing ostentatious displays on Remembrance Sunday from Rangers fans

**Olé Olé** · 28/03/2015, 10:27 AM

The quotes in that article are bloody brilliant. His passion and determination are quite inspirational to anyone in any walk of life. He comes across as eloquent and mature in that article (I'm sure some in this article have questioned his intelligence in this thread). His move to Sunderland and the subsequent combination of success and tribulations are demonstrative of the normal human ups and downs in moving to a new setting and the difficulty in adapting to such a new setting. And he puts that across very, very well.

I think everyone can relate a bit to McClean's story. He has opinions. He has beliefs. He makes and has made mistakes. He loves his football. He's proud of where he has come from. He really is just a normal person but with football ability and an immeasurable work-rate and desire to make the most of his football ability and life. For all this, I wish him the height of success. And I know that if he is picked to start for us, he'll do all he can to fashion a win because it means as much to him as it does for the fans- he's a fan living out his dream.

**GypsyBlackCat** · 31/03/2015, 11:20 AM

Hung out to dry?! No James it was your terrible attitude and disrespect to Sunderland fans. The fact that you got yourself into trouble off the pitch and your lack of commintment on it was the reason we took a disliking to you!

No one at SAFC forced you to post pro-IRA slogans and song on your Twitter feed. No one at SAFC made you miss a meet and greet with local school kids. No one at SAFC forced you abuse your coach Giovanni Trappatoni on Twitter. He knew the clubs stance on the Poppy appeal and the club let him do what he feels was right by him. There's a reason you are playing at a team on the way to League One!

**DeLorean** · 31/03/2015, 12:06 PM

Sunderland are furious with former player James McClean after he put the boot into the club

**paul_oshea** · 31/03/2015, 12:20 PM

They've kinda proven their point(Newcastle and Sunderland I Know) in that article "The Northern Irishman claimed the press office at Sunderland mishandled the situation which led to him receiving death threats."

**Littlest Hobo** · 31/03/2015, 12:52 PM

Just watched the poland game again. James was class when he came on second half. His crunching tackle on milik turned things round. After that the crowd got up and there was a lot more intensity in our play.