James McClean: I don't get the credit I deserve

The red Nike boots were placed inside the door, mobile phone tucked in between, as James McClean took his place in the conference room at FAI headquarters yesterday .

As the Republic of Ireland managerial career of Stephen Kenny draws to a close, so too does the international career of McClean, the fastest Irishman to get to 100 caps, and the sole survivor in the current squad who saw action in the finals of Euro 2012 and Euro 2016.

Only, is this the end? McClean had spoken on RTÉ a few minutes earlier of his ‘hurt’ at being dropped from the squad last month by Kenny – his first omission since his maiden call to arms in February 2011.

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins makes a presentation to James McClean of Republic of Ireland, on the occasion of his 100th international cap, before the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

With a new appointment to come dur ing the winter, McClean could figure again, just as Glenn Whelan thrived under Mick McCarthy in 2019 after being put out to pasture by Martin O’Neill.

That absence cost Whelan a century of Ireland caps, which he deserved, just as McClean deserved his.

The Derry native will make his 103rd appearance in tonight’s friendly against New Zealand, edging out Steve Staunton by one cap, and Damien Duff by two.

Steve Staunton captaining Ireland at the 2002 World Cup. Pic: Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP via Getty Images

All three were lefties who each brought their own qualities to the battlefield.

Curiously, they were born in tandem, in 1969, 1979 and 1989 and all played at multiple tournament finals.

McClean made his competitive debut against Spain at Euro 2012, which was a leap of faith by Giovanni Trapattoni, before figuring in all four games at Euro 2016 for Martin O’Neill.

Giovanni Trapattoni. Pic: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE

Arguably, he was at his best in green under O’Neill, a fellow son of the Oak Leaf County.

McClean was there for the glory of Gelsenkirchen and the uplift of Lille before scoring the winners away to Austria and Wales in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers – how Ireland under Kenny could have done with one of those results.

McClean played for four Ireland managers. What would he say about each of them?

James McClean. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

‘They’re all different but I had a good relationship with each and every one of them,’ he reflected.

‘Their passion for the game, you can see how much it meant to each and every one of them.

‘I’ve seen so many great qualities off all four of them. I would like to take bits and bobs into my own managerial career, if it ever one day comes.

Stephen Kenny. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

‘I think it would be unfair to compare their strengths and weaknesses. I just want to say a massive thank you to each one of them because they put faith in me.’

Under Kenny, McClean played more often than anyone else, 31 times so far, stationed up and down the left flank, never shirking his duties for a moment.

What’s fuelled him on his remarkable, and enduring, journey from the Irish League,

League of Ireland, the top four divisions in English football, and two major finals with Ireland?

Tasos Bakasetas of Greece and James McClean of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between Greece and Republic of Ireland at the OPAP Arena in Athens, Greece. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

‘My self-belief is probably my biggest attribute, my mindset. It insults me in a way when I see some of the comments like, “He was never the most gifted”, this and that.

‘You don’t go on to play 12 years in England – I’ve got 150 Premier League games, 103 international caps after tomorrow night – without ability .

‘I see this “Great work ethic” and “He’s a good runner.” Well, go grab Mo Farah off the street and stick him in. You have to have ability to go with it.

‘Maybe when I retire I will get more recognition for my football ability than I do now.’

Not that retirement is on the horizon.

At 34, McClean has no intention of hanging up those red boots and will return to club duty for Wrexham this weekend. He’s as fit as a fiddle, so why go?

‘It’s not because of my body, or I feel my ability has diminished. I still feel as fit as ever. I still believe I am the best person for the role. I have never doubted myself.

‘I played 46 games out of 46 in the Championship last season, 45 of them starts.

‘I was second for full-backs in goals and assists, and for most successful tackles in the whole league.

‘I have personal reasons for stepping away, I feel now is the right time to step aside. Let others come through, I’ve had my time, I have no regrets.’

Why was the Euro 2024 campaign such a struggle?

‘The pretty obvious one is there’s two better teams, France and Holland. Greece beat us home and away so you could argue they’re better as well.

‘You look at our domestic league compared to France and Holland; you look at the headstart they have from no age. We don’t have that in this country .

‘I heard the FAI funding is going to be cut by 50 per cent.

‘We need more funding. You’re competing with your hands tied behind your back.

‘That definitely hinders the national team.’

A short while after the Kenny- McClean press briefing, the Irish players emerged from the National Indoor Centre and crossed on to the pitch for training.

The first in line was McClean. Leading by example, right to the end .