Latest news with #McClean
The 42
3 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
'He's a player of interest... a character that could help us' - Ireland boss open to James McClean return
HEIMIR HALLGRÍMSSON SAYS James McClean could play a part in the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifying campaign. The international boss confirmed discussions have taken place with the 36-year-old while in Derry recently, and that the 36-year-old would be considered for selection after the upcoming friendlies with Senegal and Luxembourg. Hallgrímsson's policy for selecting his current squad was to allow as many of his Championship players as much time off as possible. One of those who the Ireland manager couldn't do without was Robbie Brady, citing a dearth of left backs available to him. Advertisement Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan earned a call-up this week and McClean, who departed the scene with 103 caps, could make a dramatic return by the time qualifiers for USA/Canada/Mexico comes around in September. McClean will play in England's second tier next season after securing another promotion with Wrexham. He initially announced his Ireland retirement in 2023 after dropping down to League Two with the Welsh club. 'That was my understanding when I came. He was out. Obviously, we've spoken about him a little bit, especially when I went to Derry,' Hallgrímsson said. 'He is a player of interest, really. Again, a character that could help us at some point. I think this camp, we were more looking at younger players, but obviously we look at him like everyone else. 'If he is better than the ones we have already, I would have no problem with selecting him. And I've said before, age is not an issue for me if a player is 16 and better than the ones before or 35. It really doesn't matter if they are better than the ones we have. 'I don't know the story behind his decision and what happened and all of that. I read up on his history and all the things around him. Interesting, shows his strength in character as well, reading up on him. 'Yeah, probably the change was to help this team to develop and progress. And here you have it. So maybe that's a good decision for the club to take him and for him to go there. And he is probably now a legend at that club (Wrexham) as well. Correct? 'In regards to us, I don't know him personally. I haven't spoken to him, but just caught up on him, seen him play. Like I said, what is he, 36? So he's not getting any younger. But if he's better than the ones we have, I would have no problems with selecting him. Again, it would have been good to have camps to call him in and work with him for a week.'
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Hallgrimsson's shock message to James McClean ahead of World Cup qualifiers
Heimir Hallgrímsson has opened the door to a sensational James McClean return to the green jersey. The Ireland manager explained that he hadn't considered the Wrexham captain because he was under the impression that McClean had quit international football. However, the Derry native stated last year that he would find a call-up 'a hard one to turn down' - while he added: 'Never say never.' Hallgrímsson is short on left-back options, with Robbie Brady currently the number one pick for that role. Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan has been drafted in for the upcoming friendlies at home to Senegal and away to Luxembourg. McClean will be back in the Championship next season after winning back-to-back promotions with Wrexham - and Hallgrímsson said: 'That was my understanding when I came - he was out. 'Obviously, we've spoken about him a little bit, especially when I went to Derry. 'He is a player of interest, really. Again, a character that could help us at some point. 'I think this camp, we were more looking at younger players, but obviously we look at him like everyone else. 'If he is better than the ones we have already, I would have no problem with selecting him. And I've said before, age is not an issue for me if a player is 16 and better than the ones before or 35. It really doesn't matter if they are better than the ones we have.' Hallgrímsson hasn't watched the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, but he has an idea of what 103-time capped McClean can bring to a dressing room. 'I don't know the story behind his decision (to drop down to League Two) and what happened and all of that. I read up on his history and all the things around him,' said the Ireland manager. 'Interesting, it shows his strength in character as well, reading up on him. 'Yeah, probably the change (of club) was to help this team to develop and progress. And here you have it. So maybe that's a good decision for the club to take him and for him to go there. 'And he is probably now a legend at that club as well. Correct? 'In regards to us, I don't know him personally. I haven't spoken to him, but just caught up on him, seen him play. 'Like I said, what is he, 36? So he's not getting any younger. But if he's better than the ones we have, I would have no problems with selecting him. 'Again, it would have been good to have camps to call him in and work with him for a week.' Another potential left-sided option is PEC Zwolle's Anselmo Garcia MacNulty. The former Ireland Under-21 defender played every single minute in the Eredivisie with his side last season and was watched by Hallgrímsson, but he only made the stand-by list for the June friendlies. 'I've seen a few games. He's a promising player. Now, the good thing for him is he's playing in a team that believes in him,' said the Icelander. 'He's playing every minute in a proper league. A different style than he's used to, so he's adapting to the style they are playing. 'A left-footed centre-back, we don't have many of those. But (he has) probably more chance of playing as a left-back, but he's not doing that at this stage. 'He can play both, so if you look to the future, definitely a guy that we will have our eye on.'
Leader Live
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wrexham captain James McClean won't let career fizzle out
The 36-year-old joined the Reds from Wigan Athletic in August 2023 and he helped the Reds clinch runners-up spot in League Two in his first season at The Racecourse. More success followed this term with newly-appointed captain McClean and his team-mates leading Wrexham to another second placed finish in League, making it back-to-back promotions for the Irishman. DID YOU MISS OUR 48-PAGE PROMOTION SPECIAL? ORDER YOUR COPY HERE - Wrexham, under Phil Parkinson, have made history by securing three successive promotions and McClean can hold his head high knowing he has always given his all when he's played for the Reds despite being in his twilight years. "When I put my name to something, I want to give everything," he said. "That's never been me as a person not to do that. "It would be a dis-service to the manager, the fans and my team-mates if I didn't do that. "I am representing them and I am on the pitch to do a job for them. If I didn't do that it would be a dis-service to myself and to them. "They brought me here and giving 100 per cent is a given." McClean played for Sunderland, West Brom and Stoke City, as well as having two stints with Wigan, before making the switch to north Wales. He will be back in the Championship next season and although he's coming towards the end of his career, it is something McClean is relishing. "You want to play at the highest level you can," said McClean, who has also played in the Premier League and won 103 caps for Republic of Ireland. "I'm nowhere near my prime now unfortunately, I am 36 years of age, but I am looking forward to being part of that. "I still want to challenge myself, and we'll embrace it. The speed is not what it once was, but the hunger and desire never leaves." What can Wrexham expect in the second tier when they come up against the likes of Leicester City and Southampton? "It will be intense and it will obviously be very difficult and the higher you go up, the quality in both boxes makes a difference," said McClean, who has become a huge fans' favourite at The Racecourse. "But we would prefer to play at a higher level. "Some players have never played in League One before and they've embraced it. They have been brilliant like young Max Cleworth for example. "I have no doubts at all that people will step up and perform even better." The competition for the second automatic promotion spot behind champions Birmingham City was fierce but Wrexham enjoyed a strong run-in, finishing the season unbeaten in 10 games. A top-two finish was secured with one-match remaining and McClean hailed the players for stepping up to the plate when it mattered most. "It was the same as last season," he added. "When the pressure is on and the backs are against the wall, we stand up time and time again. "Credit to the staff and every one of our players because some people crumble under pressure but this group does do that when it comes under pressure, and we have proved that time and time again."
Leader Live
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wrexham: Jake Paul tipped to lose to James McClean
Pulis - who was McClean's boss when the duo were together at West Brom - knows the player has a tough reputation in football. According to Pulis, the 36-year-old former Republic of Ireland international is the most feared player he has worked with. He told OLBG: "Nobody would want to fight James McClean in the boxing ring. "I've seen him at West Brom. He has got the fastest hands of any professional footballer I've seen. He was on the bag and on the gloves. James, without question. "Like I say, I've got a lot of time for James. He mishandles himself at times in respect of what he says and what he does. But he's a great, great, great kid. I've got a lot of time for him. "I've seen him with the gloves on. You wouldn't want to go in a ring against him. Against Jake Paul? McClean all day long." McClean and his team-mates led Wrexham to runners-up spot in League One this season, securing an historic third successive promotion under Phil Parkinson. The Reds, backed by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, will be back in the Championship next season following a 43 year absence and Pulis says Parkinson has done a fantastic job at The Racecourse amid all the "nonsense". "Wrexham have done fantastic. Irrespective of all the nonsense that's going on around the place with the film stars and all that stuff, Phil Parkinson has done a fantastic job as manager," said Pulis, who counts Stoke City and Middlesbrough among the many clubs he has managed. "Three promotions on the bounce, it's an amazing achievement. Graham Taylor took Watford from the fourth Division to the First Division. John Toshack took Swansea from the Fourth Division to the First, but to get three consecutive promotions is absolutely fantastic. "Being a Welsh club, I know it's North Wales, but I still hope to see them succeed."
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Magic times' – Inside James McClean's Las Vegas holiday with Wrexham teammates as Hollywood club celebrate promotion
JAMES McCLEAN and his Wrexham teammates have been toasting their latest promotion by a pool in sun-kissed Las Vegas. After another arduous 46-game slate, the Welsh outfit Advertisement 4 The club's trip to Sin City has become something of an annual tradition under its high-profile owners Credit: @macajw 4 Temperatures in the casino-filled city are around the 25 degree mark this week Credit: @macajw 4 Vegas only has around 660k permanent residents but its population swells in the spring and summer months as holidaymakers come flocking to it for fun in the sun Credit: @macajw 4 McClean is the club captain and lined out in 42 of their 46 league fixtures - scoring four times and registering seven assists Credit: @macajw They ended up on 92 points to reach the Championship - a record third consecutive promotion. The entire squad were duly Before boarding their transatlantic flight, several stars shared snaps from the plane as they were already in a party mood. McClean, 36, was one of them as he posed for a photo alongside Advertisement Read More On Irish Football The Republic of Ireland legend captioned the post: "Vegas again, ole ole ole. "(Be s***e to be in the play-offs right now)." George Dobson, Ollie Palmer and League One team of the year member Ryan Barnett also posed for pics. Upon the trip coming to an end McClean then posted an update reflecting on what he called a "magic" few days away. Advertisement Most read in Football He summarised: "Magic place, magic group, magic Deadpool star Ryan and fellow actor Rob bought How Wrexham was transformed from crime-ridden hellhole to Welsh Hollywood as locals say 'next stop's the Premier League' It is now worth more than €100million. The Hollywood pair's exploits have been documented in their TV series Advertisement It has seen the North Wales club win their third promotion in a row under manager
