James McClean: ‘I have personal reasons and my own reasons for stepping away’

The Derryman has returned to the squad to win his 103rd and final cap in tomorrow’s friendly with New Zealand after announcing last month that he was calling time on his Irish journey.

McClean (34) signed for Wrexham in the summer and has no intention of stopping in that sphere.

In fact, he retains the belief that he should still be first choice for Ireland in his position.

But he is content to draw a line under a very happy time in his life.

“I will be honest with you. It's not because of my body, or I feel my ability has diminished. I still feel as fit as ever,” said McClean.

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

“There's other factors. I have personal reasons and my own 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. For me now is the perfect time to step away, I have no regrets.”

Today's Sport News in 90 Seconds - 20th November

McClean says his priority now is to give his family a good holiday next summer when that break is always delayed by his Irish commitments.

“I feel grand,” he said, “I’ve no plans to hang up the boots any time soon. I promised my wife and kids, because I’ve never had the summer off in a long time, that we’re going to book Florida and go away for a month, and enjoy Disneyland.

“I’ve never hid the fact that it means everything, the Ireland jersey. Along with the Derry City jersey, it’s the jersey that means more to me than anything else ever will. Tomorrow night, for the last time, I’ll pull it on. When I say it out loud, it’s a bit sad that’s going to be the case. I’ll do what I’ve done 102 times before, I’ll try and do it with as much pride and as much justice as possible.”

Meanwhile Stephen Kenny, the man who gave McClean his debut in senior football, says there’s more to come from the Derry native at club level even as his international career draws to a close, with Kenny hailing the “longevity” of the Wrexham player.

Kenny confirmed today that McClean would start in the friendly at home to New Zealand and win his 103rd cap, with a likely role and senior debut at some stage for Brighton prospect Andy Moran who was promoted to the seniors from the U21 squad.

"Most players don't go out on their own terms, James is doing that now. That longevity in his career, I had the pleasure of giving James his debut when he was a young player at Derry City,” Kenny said today ahead of the test with the All-Whites.

“He had tremendous determination and he went on to play for Sunderland and a variety of clubs he played for when he showed fortitude, real mental strength. He had great skills as a left winger, very direct, a high number of goals and assists for a winger and always worked tirelessly for the team.

“And then he had to adapt in his career. Some fade away from top level football because age catches up with them. He adapted and became a left back or wing back, you have to be able to adapt, it was terrific really. It shows his quality. He deserves credit for the career he has had. 103 caps is something special,” added Kenny.

Asked about McClean’s call to quit international football while carrying on his club career with Wrexham, he said: “That’s a decision for James, I wouldn’t try to influence that. James is still in control of his own destiny. He is still playing professional football, he is hoping to get promoted this year, so he will make that decision himself, I’m sure.”

The Irish boss confirmed today that defender Nathan Collins would miss the friendly with an ankle injury sustained in Amsterdam but despite the substitution of Evan Ferguson nine minutes into the second half of that game, the Brighton forward was available. "We'll see today but I think Evan is basically ok. He seems to be ok and will be included in the squad,” Kenny said before Monday’s training session.

"We will try to finish the season on a strong note. The Irish support has been amazing home and away, we had big crowd away to Gibraltar, big crowd in Holland, all the games. Packed stadiums for matches against Latvia and Gibraltar, close to full houses. There's been great support and it's not easy midweek with people living all over Ireland, and people from abroad getting in, on a Tuesday night, so I don't know if we will get that crowd, but there are 41,000 sold and that's a testament to the team.

"There will be changes tomorrow night, because in international football that's part of it, when you have friendly games you have to utilise the squad, people give their commitment, travelling around Europe for five camps a year, they give their commitment, every day in training and sometimes you have to reward that as well. There will be some changes tomorrow night but we want a strong performance against New Zealand, we have to try and finish the season on a high.”