QuoteVideo interview with McClean about his call-up at the Brandywell last night: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17107746
At least he didn't have some 'kind soul' send him one...Originally Posted by geysir
Video interview with McClean about his call-up at the Brandywell last night: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17107746
MEP for Foyle, Colum Eastwood, has congratulated McClean on senior call-up: http://www.sdlp.ie/index.php/newsroo...o_irish_squad/
SDLP Foyle MLA, Colum Eastwood, has congratulated James McClean on his call up to the Irish squad for the forthcoming friendly against the Czech Republic. Mr Eastwood said that James was a credit to himself, his family and to Derry City and would undoubtedly prove his worth at international level for Ireland.
Mr Eastwood said: ‘I am delighted that James McClean has been called up to the Irish squad, well deserved after his performances for Sunderland over the last number of months.
‘James now has the opportunity to show off his abilities at international level, abilities which Derry City FC fans know well.
‘This will hopefully mark the beginning of a long and successful career for Ireland.
‘All of Derry wishes him well in the coming friendly match and hope this may be the lead in to call up for the Republic squad for the Euro 2012 championships in Poland and the Ukraine.’
Personally I would be happy to see McCleanand Pilkington in ahead of Hunt on grounds of sheer ability. Hunt is a likeable bloke, he's committed and enthusiastic but painfully limited. If we had room in the squad for a mascot Hunt would be in contention, but he should not be playing international football ahead of players who clearly have more to offer and are performing more consistently.
from what i have seen of him i think mcclean could offer a lot particularly as an impact sub.
however, no one can know that he or pilkington (has he even declared for us?) will actually offer more than hunt does at international level.
hunt is a very good player, who has been very good for us and in the premierleague over a number of seasons. admittedly he is not on a very good run of form at the minute, but i would only leave him out as a last resort. i think he is a very effective player and better technically than a lot give him credit for. an numerous occasions his introduction has swung games in our favour.
mcclean needs to be in the squad but i think theres room for both of them.(ie. coleman goes as full back cover also)
pilkington has been no better than ive seen hunt play and hasn't even declared for us. (last i heard he said hed think about it if we asked him). how you would consider bringing him instead of hunt is beyond me
The McClean vs Hunt scenario is interesting, not least because Hunt's aces (workrate, aggression, harrying etc.) are matched, nay exceeded by his challenger. Factor in the quality of season they're having respectively and Stephen may ultimately be more indebted than most to Trap's loyalty/familiarity with the system.
Hunt's only 'very good' as an impact player...though like him personally, can totally see why he's not seen as a 'serious' international. System or no system.
McClean's inexperienced but that's part of his appeal. He seems fearless and full of beans. And maybe certain dissenters have added to his current desire to impress.
Pilkington & Hoolahan should also be integrated if possible. As Duffer & Hunt won't have so much to offer come the next qualifiers.
I think Hunt is seen as a serious international.
In the last campaign (for WC 2010) he was the set piece taker that delivered much moreso than McGeady or Duff and played a big part in big results
Folding my way into the big money!!!
No complaints generally, preferred Hunt to Duff & McGeady for years...
But some on here think they're 'irreplaceable'...
Colum Eastwood @columeastwood
Congratulations to James McClean. He'll be a great asset to the Ireland squad
The Mayor of Belfast also welcomed McClean's call-up
Niall Ó Donnghaile @NiallSF
@YouBoysInGreen Great news for @JMcC_23 looking forward to him running out for Éire! #coybig #ÉireAbú
As did the other SDLP MLA for Foyle
Mark H Durkan @MarkHDurkan
@JMcC_23 Well done James- Everybody in Derry is very proud of you.Do well for Ireland but take it easy v Everton in the cup!
Meanwhile another MLA questions the IFA mopery over the eligibility issue
Daithí McKay @daithimckay
Will IFA stop interfering with northerners who want to play for higher ranked Irish team now that theyre trying 2 adopt a Japanese player?
Daithí McKay @daithimckay
Pettiness is IFA undermining players who have already made their choice not to play for them
Careful now!
thats a very important part of a tournament squad in my opinion
Interesting who is happy and who's not, party wise. It certainly is along Nationalist / Unionist lines which highlights the whole essence of the debate!
'Time to come clean on why you hate James McClean' by Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh: http://ciarano.tumblr.com/post/18047...-james-mcclean
The bottom line however is that there is no country, state or nation called the Republic of Ireland. Just a football team.
Ireland is the name of the nation and state McClean calls his own. It’s on the front cover of his passport.
The Republic of Ireland is merely descriptive in legal and constitutional terms, but in footballing terms it aims to separate the team that purports to represent the six counties alone from that which doesn’t.
Of course, it represents the entire 32 counties - or more specifically, everyone in those counties who want it to represent them.
This is not an antagonistic claim. This is not intended to wind up any genuine fans of Michael O’Neill’s team. It is merely a fact.
By his very birthright, McClean is as entitled to play for the Republic as Robbie Keane or Shay Given. There is no magic dust sprinkled on his passport - it’s a simple right, enshrined in law.
...
The constant streams of abuse, thankfully shrugged off with surprising maturity by the player involved, will do more long term bad than good.
That’s the only unspeakable sin taking place.
Last edited by DannyInvincible; 22/02/2012 at 9:51 AM.
Interesting article but I think the link is down
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist thinks it will change; the realist adjusts the sails.
Clearly all these commentators don't agree with certain contributors that McClean's selection is just about football...
Should work again now.
I know he has a devoted fan base, but what exactly is his impact?. I can recall a few decent deliveries, but all too often he only succeeds in confounding defences by running very fast in a straight line and taking the ball out of play. This does on occasion create a surge of excitement and a mistaken anticipation that something extraordinary might happen, but alas it rarely does. He brings energy withour purpose, and momentum without direction.
Italy at home in 2009 - came on, won a couple of quick free kicks, including the one he delivered for the goal.
Both games against Bulgaria - he supplied (and won at least one of) the free kicks that led to our goals.
Wales 2007 - came on and set up Doyle immediately to put us in the lead.
That's just off the top of my head.
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