**** me, how far and how long is this ****e going to go on? Sunderland winger James McClean has responded to criticism from former Newcastle and Northern Ireland player Keith Gillespie who branded him a âdefectorâ earlier this week, writes Graeme Anderson. The 23-year-old has rejected Gillespieâs claim that he used alleged anti-Catholicism in the Northern Ireland set-up as an excuse to switch to the Republic. McClean, preparing with the Republic squad for Sundayâs Euro 2012 opener against Croatia, said: âIâve always wanted to play for the Republic of Ireland and I couldnât be more proud that I am doing that. âJust because Iâve grown up in Northern Ireland doesnât change that.â He was reacting to comments made by ex-Newcastle man Gillespie on an American radio station. The Longford Town winger â no stranger to controversy in his own career â said: âIâm of the firm belief that if youâre born in Northern Ireland you should not have the option of playing for the Republic. âJames McClean is a prime example â he had no intention of ever playing for the Northern Ireland senior team and heâs made that clear, but he used the Northern Ireland system to get into a position where he could defect to the Republic. âHe made some excuses in relation to being a Catholic, but thatâs not an issue with the Northern Ireland squad. âYou look at some of our greatest and most capped players who are Catholic â people like Pat Jennings, Mal Donaghy, Martin OâNeill and Gerry Armstrong. They are all hugely popular people in Northern Ireland. âI think McClean was clutching at straws with those remarks and trying to come up with some sort of excuse.â Gillespieâs interview follow a statement issued by the Irish FA which said McCleanâs comments about Catholics not being welcome for Northern Ireland were âdisappointing.â Sunderland and the Republic are likely to be disappointed that McClean has been drawn into reacting to the 37-year-old. Derry-born McClean angered many Northern Ireland supporters when he originally opted to play for the Republic and hardly endeared himself later when he suggested Catholics were not made to feel welcome when playing for Northern Ireland. Privately, Sunderland will feel the sooner the young Black Cat can draw a veil over any religious issues at international level and simply get on with his playing career, the better for all concerned.
The sad consequence of NI and the unbelievable hatred by some there. I just wish young Mclean would ignore it and play football, how long will it go on, well its been going on for a year or two so don't expect an end any time soon.
Religion and football, how sad it has a bearing.....i thought maybe the western world had evolved from that. Shame some thing things never change The world has greater problems, and this kind of trivial things makes headlines..... Must admit, many a time, i ask myself, just where or what is a third world country in it's thinking?
Its not religion Its about political orientation and percieved nationality. There just happens to be a marked religious correlation between the two camps. However I make no bones about saying I am a nationalist but I am completely atheist
In the case of Northern Ireland, I'm afraid you cannot seperate the issues of religion, nationalism and politics...
Keith Gillespie is a bell end anyway and probably just has a fiver one with some other gambling drunk he is with that he can stir ****e up again in the press. Ignore the waste of space that is Gillespie and I just hope Jimmy does too.
It's an accident of birth that makes lads over there have to choose between divides that have nothing to do with football. Shame for all concerned, but best left alone by keeping schtum.
Luckily for young James , he has a rather wise old Ulsterman to turn to for advice in Martin O Neill. Gillespie on the other hand is a washed up gobshite.
Gillespie's case is weak anyway when he quotes the likes of Pat Jennings etc playing for Northern Ireland. In those days players didn't have a choice if they wanted to play international football. You played for the country you were born in. I remember ex-Sunderland players Charlie Hurley and Joe Baker having to play for the Republic and England respectively even though one was broad Cockney and the other had a heavy Scottish accent. They had lived only months in their country of birth but were bound by the rules. The other flaw in Gillespie's argument involves Neill Lennon when Lennon was playing for Norther Ireland. I seem to recall he and his family receiving threats against their personal safety resulting in him declaring himself retired from international football. Sad but true. Like the other posters on here, my advice to young McClean is to ignore washed up people like Gillespie seeking attention, forget the other stuff, and concentrate on your football. You have a manager who will keep you right.
