Seems he has caught the eye all over....good lad this one. Sunderland's rising star James McClean is likely to be included in a senior Republic of Ireland squad for the first time on Friday. McClean, who has grabbed his big chance after moving from Derry City, is reported to be in the squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic. The 22-year-old had been awaiting Fifa clearance after deciding to switch from Northern Ireland to the Republic. McClean is hoping to press a claim for a place in the Euro 2012 finals. In January, Giovanni Trapattoni had indicated he intended to stick with the players who had got the Republic to their first major finals for 10 years. But McClean's headline-grabbing performances for Martin O'Neill's Premier League side appear to have prompted a rethink by the Republic manager as he plans for the 29 February game against the Czechs. McClean's move to the Wearside outfit, a £350,000 transfer from League of Ireland obscurity, went relatively unnoticed during a period of heavy recruitment at the Stadium of Light last summer, and for the first four months of the season he did not make a first team appearance. That all changed when O'Neill succeeded Steve Bruce in early December, with the new manager handing McClean his senior debut by bringing him off the bench in his first game in charge. Since then, McClean has emerged as a key figure for Sunderland and his winner in Sunday's 1-0l eague victory at Stoke was his third goal in 11 games so far. "He is performing brilliantly for us," O'Neill said. "He has had a great, great couple of months. "I didn't know him at all until I arrived at the club, so to see him blossoming out there has been very pleasing for everyone, obviously myself included."
He will be dynamite for him. He's a proper old fashioned, no bullshit winger, and some of the international sides will be in terror at him. He's stronger than an old mans fart after 8 cans of special brew as well, be delighted if the lad gets to the Euro's. Great future ahead, hopefully with us!
