WEST BROMWICH ALBION midfielder James McClean has admitted that he experienced a “dark time” last season, revealing that his confidence was “shattered” as a result of the abuse directed at him.

The Republic of Ireland international has endured a barrage of criticism in previous years for his decision not to wear a poppy on Remembrance Day and he conceded that it had a “massive effect” on his game in the past.

However, the 26-year-old explained that he has now become accustomed to it and said that the abuse even “spurs [him] on” to perform better.

“Last season was a difficult time,” McClean said in an interview with the Derry Journal.

“It was a dark time for me. I just want to let the football do the talking now and get people to stop focusing on my actions off the field and get back to talking about what I can do on the field.

A few years ago when I started getting abuse, it had a massive effect on me in terms of how I was playing.

“It shattered my confidence but I’ve got used to that now and it doesn’t bother me as much. If anything, it spurs me on.”

The former Derry City midfielder added: “As long as I impress the fans of the club I play for, then that’s all that matters.

“I’m not stupid enough to believe I’m going to change people’s perceptions of me. I’m certainly not going to lose any sleep over it. I expect the abuse and I’m well used to it by now.”

McClean became a figure of controversy when he switched international allegiance from Nothern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland in 2012, but his decision to not wear a poppy on his jersey has triggered a much more extreme reaction, with the player receiving death threats on more than one occasion.

In 2015, the former Wigan Athetic midfielder found himself further embroiled in controversy for responding to ‘God Save the Queen’ – the national anthem of the United Kingdom – by bowing his head during a pre-season friendly in the United States.

McClean suggested that his actions will continue to be blown out of proportion, citing “a two-second altercation” with an Everton supporter which, he says, became “this big spat”.

“Last Saturday (against Everton) was a prime example when any small action I do, on or off the field, is going to be picked up by the media and the papers are going to make it a lot bigger of a story than it should be,” said the Derry native.

On Saturday, there was a two-second altercation with a fan which, in my eyes, was nothing and then it’s in the papers as this big spat.

“Any opportunity they get, like on Remembrance Day, they’re going to bring my name up and it’s like water off a duck’s back now.”

McClean is no shrinking violet and continues to voice his opinions, on all things, on social media, which has got him into trouble in the past.

Here’s his latest offering.

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