Soccer

James McClean: ‘I’ve never been anti-British’

Republic of Ireland winger says he never had aspirations to play for Northern Ireland

James McClean celebrates scoring for Ireland against Austria last year. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Sat Apr 29 2017 - 13:46

West Brom midfielder James McClean insists he is not, and has never been, anti-British.

The Republic of Ireland winger has faced criticism in the past for refusing to wear a kit bearing a remembrance poppy, even receiving death threats for his stance, and deciding against representing Northern Ireland at international level despite growing up in Derry and appearing for them at age-group level.

However, speaking to Football Focus, the 28-year-old revealed he never had any intention of playing for Northern Ireland at senior level.

“Back in Derry I was just being me. Nobody cared,” he said. “All of a sudden things I say are in the papers. I’m still the same person I am — I wouldn’t want to change. If you like it, you like it, and if you don’t, you don’t.

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“It’s in the papers that I’m pro-IRA and the way it goes, if you see something in the paper you believe it whether it’s true or not. I’ve been very lucky with my managers, they’ve believed my side of the story.

“I’ve had death threats and I’ve had a lot of people see me as anti-British.

“I want to go on record here and say I’ve never been anti-British. There’s certain things that I don’t agree with, my beliefs, but I take people at face value.

“I’ve had a lot of death threats which started when I declared myself for the Republic. I played for Northern Ireland for the youth system — I never hid from the fact that I took advantage of that system to better myself but I never had aspirations to play for Northern Ireland.

“I was getting death threats for declaring for my country.”

McClean’s refusal to wear the poppy for the first time in 2012 saw him booed by Sunderland fans — something he admits hastened his exit from the club.

However, the former Wigan player is now enjoying his football again under Tony Pulis, having scored five goals in 38 appearances this term.

And he believes Pulis deserves much of the credit for his impressive campaign.

“I was on the verge of signing for New York Red Bulls,” he added.

“But for me I could turn down New York, I could not turn down the chance to play in the Premier League again.

“He (Pulis) outlined his plans for me and for the club and it was a no-brainer. Having a manager that believes in you — there’s no better feeling.”

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