“THERE WAS A player at the Euros this year who, when England arrived in France, rang his agent and said ‘can you get me out of this?’
“And to me, that is extraordinary.” So claimed Telegraph journalist Jim White recently.
By making the comment, White was trying to prove a point that many people subscribe to — modern footballers care far more about playing for their clubs than for the national team.
It is a cynical view, and one which others have disputed, though it would go some way towards explaining England’s dire performance at Euro 2016. Despite going into the tournament with the most expensive squad, Roy Hodgson’s side flopped miserably and were beaten by Iceland in the round of 16.
Of course, such accusations usually tend to be levelled at footballers in the aftermath of a disappointing result.
Similarly harsh sentiments were reserved for the Irish team not so long ago.
After Giovanni Trapattoni’s side had a disastrous Euro 2012 campaign, the public perception of the team was extremely low. Many people suddenly proclaimed that the nation’s footballers were overpaid and under-skilled.
The media subsequently spoke of the disconnect between the fans and the players, while the football team were compared unfavourably to the rugby stars, who many felt enjoyed a far healthier relationship with the sporting public.
The Irish fans supposedly could not relate to these pampered millionaires living in a different country.
The heady euphoria of the Charlton era seemed a distant memory. The dour displays of the Trap years left most onlookers uninspired, even if they did yield a degree of success, while some critics wondered whether the reputation of the team was irreparably damaged.
But since Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane took charge, the Irish side has slowly but surely regained the type of love and support from the public that has been seldom seen since the end of the Mick McCarthy era.
The main reason, of course, has been the team’s success. Despite going out in the last-16, the Boys in Green did themselves proud at the Euros, punching above their weight by beating Italy and giving holders France a serious scare.
Yet as well as enjoying a number of fine results including last night’s historic win in Vienna, the public are beginning to reconnect with the players to a degree, despite the vast majority of the Irish squad living very much in a bubble over in England.
Of course, the only exceptions are Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle — the two Dundalk players who many fans will feel a certian affinity with. Unlike the rest of the squad, both individuals earn their living in Ireland and neither would be receoving the type of astronomical wages that often contributes to the sense of alienation that exists between footballers and fans.
And the League of Ireland duo are not the only players that fans can relate to these days. Seamus Coleman is as popular for his ostensible down-to-earth nature and tendency to show up at the odd GAA match as he is for his considerable ability on the field.
Jon Walters won fans’ hearts after a series of influential and hard-working displays during the Euro 2016 qualifiers, as well as for the endearing and self-deprecating manner in which he presents himself on social media.
But there is no doubt that the most popular footballer in the country right now is James McClean, and not only because he scored the goal that sealed a famous win over Austria last night.
In an age where players retire from international football early to prolong their club careers, or who want to pull out from representing their country after suffering the slightest niggle (or less, if that aforementioned England player story is to be believed), McClean is an anomaly.
Ex-Ireland international Niall Quinn speaks critically of modern players who seem reluctant to turn up for their country.
In a 2014 interview, Quinn said: “When I think of Stephen Ireland, the first person I think of is Davy Langan who I played with in the early days. Langy would turn up hobbling and saying he was fit. But somewhere between Davy’s time and Stevie’s time, that [negative mentality] has crept in.”
And while this negative mentality is clearly increasingly pervasive in modern football, it is far from all-encompassing. Anyone who watched David Meyler, Harry Arter or Jon Walters closely last night will have no doubt as to how committed they are to representing the Boys in Green.
Yet more so than anyone else, James McClean encapsulated the spirit of Langan. In an interview with RTÉ afterwards, the man of the match revealed the depths he went to in order to play.
After suffering a muscle tear in his back prior to the game, many players would have taken the easy option and pulled out of the squad, but McClean was clearly determined to feature.
“I went and got an epidural on Tuesday and it’s done wonders,” he said.
“I’m delighted I managed to play for as long as I did.
“Playing for this country means everything. If there is a chance I can play, I’m not going to shirk it.”
In a week when James McCarthy, through no fault of his own, was effectively told by his manager to pull out of the Irish squad as club was prioritised over country, it was particularly refreshing to see McClean do his utmost to be ready in time for the vital qualifier.
The ex-League of Ireland player is therefore the antithesis to everything the stereotypical modern footballer represents, and perhaps going over to England at an older age than most went some way towards keeping him grounded.
While some players would probably rather go on holiday rather than figure at a major international tournament, you get the sense that McClean savours every moment in which he wears a green shirt.
More so than his goal, a lung-busting run down the left last night, which appeared to span at least half the length of the field, best summed up the intense passion that permeated the Derry native’s psyche at the Ernst Happel Stadion.
Although there is more to McClean than just sheer energy. In the last campaign, he was talked of and written about in a dismissive manner and portrayed by some as a kind of joke figure — an impact sub incapable of going more five minutes without being booked.
Since the game against Italy at the Euros, however, where McClean was handed a start and proceeded to catch the eye, he has developed into a key player for this Irish team, as three goals in the last two qualifiers attests.
Footballers are often portrayed by elements of the media as vain, arrogant primadonnas, who are supposedly lacking the toughness of beloved rugby or GAA stars.
Yet these perceptions could not be further from the truth as far as the West Brom star is concerned.
McClean is a genuine throwback to an earlier era. The 27-year-old winger speaks frankly in interviews, he is willing to stand by his principles and take a stand on issues such as the poppy controversy, all the while coming across as a genuinely decent person behind the aggressive persona.
Modern footballers get a hard time, and rightfully so on occasion, but McClean and other Irish players who took to the field last night are proof that there are still many people of integrity left amidst the glitz and glamour of the Premier League.
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