James McClean admits to feeling guilty for the trouble he has put Giovanni Trapattoni and Martin OâNeill through. The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland winger has endured an eventful 18 months since bursting on to the Barclays Premier League stage with Sunderland and quickly establishing himself as a full international. However, having already found himself at the centre of controversy for opting to represent the Republic rather than his native Northern Ireland, the Derry-born midfielder has repeatedly landed himself in hot water as a result of messages posted on social networking site Twitter, and his refusal to wear a Remembrance Day poppy on his shirt. Both Trapattoni and former Sunderland manager Martin OâNeill have had cause to reprimand him as a result, and the message appears to have finally hit home. McClean said: âBoth Martin OâNeill and the manager have had a word in the past. I feel a bit bad now because I havenât been the easiest. âBut I take that on board and I think I have matured a bit in the last few months, and I will continue to hopefully do that.â McClean was catapulted into the limelight when OâNeill handed him a debut as a substitute in his first game in charge at the Stadium of Light in December 2011, and his introduction sparked a revival which saw the Black Cats overturn a 1-0 deficit to beat Blackburn 2-1. The Irishman had previously had to be patient with Steve Bruce, the man who paid Derry City £350,000 for his services during the previous August, reluctant to throw him in at the deep end. However, McClean prospered under OâNeill to the extent that he not only won a first senior cap for his country, but forced his way into the squad for last summerâs Euro 2012 finals. But last season proved a difficult time for him as his form on the pitch dipped amid a series of well-publicised off-the-field issues. McClean said: âIt was a bit of a whirlwind first six months, amazing, top of the world, and then a lot of things happened in between then. âBut it will help me as a person. I will learn from all that and it will put me in good stead for the future. âIt was all new to me â I was still the same lad as I was from my time at Derry and that kind of went against me. âI want to continue to just be me, and what comes with that comes with that. But I have learnt to not say too much.â McClean demonstrated his new-found reticence to good effect when asked about new club manager Paolo Di Canio, who has himself swept through the club like something of a whirlwind in his first few months in charge. Defender Titus Bramble, whose contract has not been renewed, today described the Italian as a âstrange personâ who âthinks he knows everythingâ. McClean, however, was a model of diplomacy when asked about his former team-mateâs comments. He said: âThatâs Titusâ opinion, Iâll leave that to Titus. âEach manager has their different styles. He came in and he managed to get us safe, so I guess you could say âjob doneâ. âHopefully next season, we can push on and do well.â Whether or not McClean is part of Di Canioâs plans for next season remains to be seen as the 44-year-old prepares to embark upon a rebuilding programme. However, he is determined to end a difficult campaign in style with Ireland. McClean set up two of his countryâs four goals in Sundayâs friendly victory over Georgia, and is desperate to play a part in the World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands on Friday night. He said: âItâs been an indifferent season at club level for me. Hopefully I am going to knock that behind me now and push on here with the Ireland squad. âItâs been difficult for a lot of reasons which have already been well-publicised. But thatâs in the past now and I want to go back sharper, better and stronger for next season and hopefully push on to where I was. âThe other day gave me a bit of confidence with the two assists, so hopefully if I am called upon again I will do a job.â
I think the lad had a very poor season and he seems to understand that (is his guilt for picking up thousands of poiunds a week for his role!) If he improves and is good enough for the squad then fine, but if not then he has to be out of the door.
He will never ever be premiership quality - sell him now... His attitude totally sucks. So one sided he walks at a 45 degree angle. One player I hate having at our club.. I will never ever get behind this lad and it's all his own doing, **** him....
Must know he won't get away with it with PDC. A slap across the chops or a kick up the arse. The players must be bricking it still.
These ^ if he can learn to turn the other way at pace he could bamboozle rb's, can he, remains to be seen, need a new lw imho and wait to see if he can develope, if not then see ya
Pretty simple conduct warnings he failed to follow I think we've given a one trick pony a contract beyond his wildest dreams I would sell him
So Jimmy, let me get this straight -proving to the world you're sectarian stupid **** on twitter makes you play like ****. Got any other excuses ... mum forgot to wash yer kit, someone stole yer sannies, did a big lad do it and run away?
One trick pony who has been found out and he knows it. Laterally the worst player to ever play for us in that position. People slated Bruce for not seeing his talent. Maybe he saw how **** he is.
He ia a very sub standard footballer who, if he plays more than 6 times in the next 12 months will also be part of a ****e SAFC team in another ****e season. He has no skills, no tricks and no vision. His passing is 3rd rate and couldn't beat an egg with a handful of whisks? He runs around a lot and gets tackles in? Get shot asap.
ideal player for celtic imo ...............................everything is right for him and celtic ,..........................no one to blame
