Keeping alive hopes that he may yet be a late bolter for the Euro 2012 squad, James McClean has once again confirmed his loyalty to the Republic of Ireland.
The ex-Derry City winger has been a revelation for Sunderland since being given his chance to shine by Martin O’Neill in recent weeks, putting in a tremendous display against league leaders Manchester City on New Year’s Day and following it up with his first goal for the Black Cats against Wigan earlier in the week.
With new Norn Iron boss Michael O’Neill keen to stop the flood of Northern Ireland-qualified players declaring for the Republic, there had been speculation that McClean might switch allegiances, but he has moved to assure excited Republic of Ireland fans that it is not going to happen.
“I have declared myself for the Republic,” McClean told The Irish News.
“That’s where I see my [international] future.
“If I don’t get called up, then I’ll live with that but I have confidence in my own ability that I will get a call-up at some stage with the Republic of Ireland.
“Hopefully this now puts this matter to bed.”
The decision of Derry-born McClean to commit to the Boys in Green attracted a series of abusive messages on Twitter, but the skilful left-winger came out fighting earlier today when he tweeted the following message:
McClean’s quotes have all but sealed the deal on his international future, but he did reveal that ex-Shamrock Rovers boss O’Neill had been sniffing round with a view to getting him on board.
“He rang me just to congratulate me about how the last two [Sunderland] games have gone and to see how I’m getting on,” McClean added.
“He said he would keep in touch with me and he’ll call up and see me, which I appreciate, but I just want to put the Northern Ireland thing to bed now.”
McClean’s commitment to the cause will come as welcome news to followers of the Boys in Green as it has been a long time since one of our own has caused such excitement across the water.
Given Trap’s famous loyalty to the squad that got us to Euro 2012 and the stiff competition for places on the left wing, a call-up for McClean might be a long shot, but it would be nice to see him get a chance to stake his claim before the tournament.
Time to pick up the phone Trap.
