MARTIN O’NEILL HAS no qualms about starting James McClean against Wales tomorrow night despite the tragic passing of Ryan McBride.
McClean, a former team-mate and good friend of McBride from his time with Derry City, was left “devastated” after last weekend’s news that the 27-year-old defender had suddenly died in his home.
Candystripes captain McBride, whose funeral took place today, will be remembered before kick-off at the Aviva Stadium, while McClean is set to wear the number five jersey as a tribute.
McClean — Ireland’s top scorer in the campaign with three goals — has trained with the group all this week, but travelled to Derry to pay his respects to the McBride family on Tuesday before returning to Dublin.
McClean (centre) with McBride (right) and Owen Heary training for the Airtricity League XI back in 2011. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
“James plays with emotion anyway,” O’Neill said at today’s press conference. “If there’s anybody you can talk about wearing his heart on his sleeve, that’s exactly it — almost literally.
I don’t have any problem with that. James is an emotional character, always has been. He was devastated because he knew the lad very well as he played with him.
“Having gone up to the wake, he is fully-focused on the game tomorrow.”
'James plays with emotion anyway' - McClean set to start after paying respects to friend McBride
MARTIN O’NEILL HAS no qualms about starting James McClean against Wales tomorrow night despite the tragic passing of Ryan McBride.
McClean, a former team-mate and good friend of McBride from his time with Derry City, was left “devastated” after last weekend’s news that the 27-year-old defender had suddenly died in his home.
Candystripes captain McBride, whose funeral took place today, will be remembered before kick-off at the Aviva Stadium, while McClean is set to wear the number five jersey as a tribute.
McClean — Ireland’s top scorer in the campaign with three goals — has trained with the group all this week, but travelled to Derry to pay his respects to the McBride family on Tuesday before returning to Dublin.
“James plays with emotion anyway,” O’Neill said at today’s press conference. “If there’s anybody you can talk about wearing his heart on his sleeve, that’s exactly it — almost literally.
“Having gone up to the wake, he is fully-focused on the game tomorrow.”
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Aviva Stadium World Cup Qualifiers Europe COYBIG James McClean Martin O'Neill Ryan McBride Ireland Republic Wales Tragic loss