James McClean M Wrexham b.1989

[jbyrne]

The snippet there sounded very interesting as he spoke about his inability to attach himself to NI due to the sectarian flags etc in Windsor Park.

and yet those fans that abuse him for choosing the south over the 6 counties still refuse to see why the likes of mcclean dont want to play for them. what a blinkered lot they are. baffling really

[French Toasht]

Interview in today's Irish Times. Confirms everything we knew already about his time with NI.

“For me, personally, I didn’t feel part of it. It’s probably the wrong thing to say but it was just a stepping stone in my career.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...315908715.html

[gastric]

James is now using the media to pee off Ni fans rather than using twitter. He really needs to stop inflaming things considering the threats made recently and should solely concentrate on the Euros.

[jbyrne]

James is now using the media to pee off Ni fans rather than using twitter. He really needs to stop inflaming things considering the threats made recently and should solely concentrate on the Euros.

why should he tippy-toe around the reasons he made the decision to declare for the south?
what he says is the truth and he should say it if thats how he feels. would rather a player willing to speak his mind than a yes man.

[Predator]

ah he is well lippy though Predator. No harm to have him off it. No harm to get the rest of them off it as well.

To suggest that he gave as good as he got implies parity when there is none. Let's not forget that.

For example, people, like Gregory Campbell, are quick to suggest that James "invited" this upon himself, but I don't buy this.

He has been the recipient of abuse since the moment he declared for the FAI. Are we then to take it that the very act of declaring for the FAI is an invitation to Northern Ireland fans to abuse and intimidate? Is every young player to expect the same if they declare?

Perhaps now, with all this publicity, a number of these fools will think twice about what they think they have to say to players like McClean, Duffy, et al.

[paul_oshea]

Did campbell really come out and say that? Really,what an idiot, an elected official comes out with this statement,that he brought on himself death threats? Yes maybe if he were a paedophile or a mass murderer I could understand this comment.

Its like that Senator in America about Guam tipping over, the fools you govern, will inevitably elect a fool.

[Predator]

Did campbell really come out and say that? Really,what an idiot, an elected official comes out with this statement,that he brought on himself death threats? Yes maybe if he were a paedophile or a mass murderer I could understand this comment.

Its like that Senator in America about Guam tipping over, the fools you govern, will inevitably elect a fool.

He said that the threats were "reprehensible", but added the caveat that McClean also had to take responsibility. I can't swallow that, considering the months of abuse just for declaring for the FAI.

[paul_oshea]

No wonder Middle America is the way it is as well!!

[gastric]

why should he tippy-toe around the reasons he made the decision to declare for the south?
what he says is the truth and he should say it if thats how he feels. would rather a player willing to speak his mind than a yes man.

We already know his opinion, he has stated it on numerous occasions. How many times is enough? I agree he is no yes man, but do we really need such a sideshow with such a major tournament coming up?

[jbyrne]

We already know his opinion, he has stated it on numerous occasions. How many times is enough? I agree he is no yes man, but do we really need such a sideshow with such a major tournament coming up?

its 4 weeks until the tournament. better to face it down now that in June. He was over here doing media stuff yesterday and if he is asked about something he is well within his rights to answer truthfully.

[Olé Olé]

We know what his answer is to the question and the journalists know this. But they're looking to fill column inches so a slightly different wording of the same answer that may be open to a different interpretation about the most topical Irish footballer around at the moment is the best way to do so.

I can't see why how James is attracting controversy by answering the question he's asked, particularly when it reflects the viewpoint of quite a large portion of people involved in football in the North.

I think the comments open up an interesting issue regarding eligibility also. I'm interpreting from his comments regarding playing for the NI under 21 side that he only did so to further his career and had the option to do so with Ireland been available then he would have duly gone down that alley.
So here is one caveat in the issue of poaching; If approaching players such as McClean was within the realms of acceptable powers (from an IFA perspective) for the FAI, then McClean furthering his career with NI wouldn't have occurred. In fact, he would have forged a meaningful international career with Ireland.
Another questions arises in whether the FAI would have selected McClean for under-21 games. Given his late development, it's unlikely that at Institute or Trojans he would have been recognised for underage caps at various levels, in the same way that Patrick McEleney was when he was at Sunderland and Derry City. Most likely, McClean would have been performing solely at club level, until Irish selection recognised his form in 2009 or 2010.

[IsMiseSean]

Another article on the issue

McClean urged to stay quiet

[back of the net]

Another article on the issue

McClean urged to stay quiet

Surprised it took his club so long to get involved and tell him to tone it down.

As per Geysirs comments - it is an unwanted sideshow with only 4 weeks to the euros, and although McClean has not done anything to warrant such disgusting abuse on his twitter , the fact remains he is in the spotlight now and really should not have reacted to it.

[jbyrne]

Surprised it took his club so long to get involved and tell him to tone it down.

As per Geysirs comments - it is an unwanted sideshow with only 4 weeks to the euros, and although McClean has not done anything to warrant such disgusting abuse on his twitter , the fact remains he is in the spotlight now and really should not have reacted to it.

why should he have to button it when he obviously feels strongly about it? Id say the spotlight he is in about it doesnt cause him a seconds thought.

If this issue causes a distraction to our Euros build-up beyond this weekend its all up really

[Dodge]

As per Geysirs comments - it is an unwanted sideshow with only 4 weeks to the euros, and although McClean has not done anything to warrant such disgusting abuse on his twitter , the fact remains he is in the spotlight now and really should not have reacted to it.

Are you siggesting that the response from twitter gob****es is worse than he had to put up with living in Derry?

This episode means absolutely nothing to McClean. if anything he'll get a laugh out of it, or spur him on to shove it up'em

[back of the net]

why should he have to button it when he obviously feels strongly about it? Id say the spotlight he is in about it doesnt cause him a seconds thought.

If this issue causes a distraction to our Euros build-up beyond this weekend its all up really

He has let his views known on his passion to play for the Republic which is great and responded to the comments,but it should not have been allowed to linger on IMO

Unfortunately there is idiots out there , alot of whom seem to want to write rubbish on his twitter account.

I dont care whether he is bothered/not bothered about the spotlight he is in, however I would imagine Martin O'neill does and even more so Trappatoni.

Of course its a distraction , Trap doesnt want issues like this happening 4 weeks before the tournament starts....all focus should be on the preparing for Croatia and also I would imagine that Trap and O'neill want him focussed on the upcoming games for club and country.

Its disgraceful that he has to put up with it and I appreciate your point on why should he have to - but reality is he is a professional footballer and has to learn to deal with such incidents better and I think he will learn that the longer he is in the game IMO.

[back of the net]

Are you siggesting that the response from twitter gob****es is worse than he had to put up with living in Derry?

Dodge - how did you manage to come to the conclusion that I was suggesting that from my post?

[geysir]

He said that the threats were "reprehensible", but added the caveat that McClean also had to take responsibility. I can't swallow that, considering the months of abuse just for declaring for the FAI.

And that sentiment of blaming McClean is followed blindly to an extent by some people here.
O'Neill just told him not to react to the reaction, which is fair enough.
Nothing about that McClean should not express his national pride whenever he's asked how he felt to make the squad.
Or perhaps we can have different standards for different players, it's okay for Cox but not McClean.

[Dodge]

Dodge - how did you manage to come to the conclusion that I was suggesting that from my post?

You're suggesting it affects him negatively. I'm saying that's rubbish

Apologies for the roundabout way of saying it in the original post

[back of the net]

You're suggesting it affects him negatively. I'm saying that's rubbish

Apologies for the roundabout way of saying it in the original post

No need for Apologies Dodge

I think Trap and O'neill will want his mind focussed on the whats ahead not distracted by these thugs on twitter.
The incidents so far with twitter and McClean have been small but if allowed to continue it could escalate hence better to end it now.

Twitter is a ridiculous bloody thing and we have already seen footballers cancelling their accounts due to abuse.