This boy is serious.
It’s hard not to admire what James McClean has done in the last two years or so.
The individual journey he’s been on is incredible. He went from Wigan, struggling in the Championship, to become an integral member of Tony Pulis’ top half of the Premier League West Brom squad.
He was stuck in an impact role from the Irish bench because he was making such an impact when called upon later in games. When they went to the Euros, he was still being used in that capacity until he was called upon against Italy to rescue the campaign and, Jesus, he grabbed it with both hands.
It was a night for passion, it was a night for spilling guts, it was a night for James McClean https://t.co/Y5kV3fq0QI
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 23, 2016
Since then, he has become a leader for his country.
He’s probably one of the first names on the team sheet now all of a sudden because he has forced Martin O’Neill’s hand to write it down before he can even think of anyone else.
He’s banged in some important goals, he’s continued to make mincing tackles and, after 49 games in an Ireland shirt, he hasn’t once slowed up.
On Thursday night, McClean looks like he will be given the arm band in a friendly against Mexico and there is no-one more deserving of it right now, considering the journey he has been on.
“If he starts the game (against Mexico), I’m sure he will be captain,” Martin O’Neill said.
That’s how highly McClean is thought of now. And it’s all down to his own work, his own passion and his own damn talent that he has shown.
He did that again during training on Tuesday, he showed it off. A cut back on the right hand side was all he needed to bend the most delicious of efforts into the far top corner and it drew applause from everyone.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUvCOdHgvdU/?taken-by=jimmymac_11&hl=en
It’s no secret that the Derry man is a fan of Celtic and that fans of Celtic are fans of his. Their chase for him is relentless.
And one of his Instagram followers of course took the opportunity to give the Glasgow club another gentle reminder.
