It didn’t rank among the major criticisms during Roy Keane’s hard-hitting press conference, but when asked about James McClean, Keane was equally upfront and abrasively honest, writes Stephen Barry.
“James brings a lot of energy to the group, absolutely,” said Martin O’Neill’s right-hand man. “But you need more than energy as well and James need to produce a bit more – more quality, first-touch, more of a goal threat.”
Back on the training ground today, McClean was in full agreement with Keane’s assessment.
“I thought Roy’s comments were pretty much bang on,” said the Derry native.
“He shares them in the dressing room as well. You know Roy, he’s not afraid to speak his mind.
“Fair play, that’s the way it should be.
“Not everyone can have a good game but the bare minimum is to give 110% in your performance. Then you can come off the pitch not having the best of games but at least you can say, ‘I put a shift in and I gave it everything I could.”
In regard to Keane’s specific comment about McClean’s goal-scoring record, the winger’s reply demonstrated his willingness to improve upon his Ireland tally, which includes a penalty scored against Slovakia in March.
“You’re always working on it. If you can get as many goals and assists as possible, it’s only going to bode well results-wise.
“I’ve been lucky enough so far to get five international goals and it’s something I want to add on to, hopefully in the next couple of weeks.”
In some ways, McClean is plenty like Keane.
Even when asked in front of local media about Cork City’s prospects in tonight’s top-of-the-table clash against Dundalk, McClean didn’t pander to the crowd when picking the “superior team” Dundalk to win.
And he couldn’t be counted among the players Keane was worried weren’t picking up knocks from not tackling. During the qualifiers McClean recorded 14 fouls, four yellow cards and one suspension in 467 minutes on the field.
Apart from any discipline worries, McClean’s casual attitude towards the possibility of picking up an injury (aside from sunburn!) in the build-up to Euro 2016 must also please his Cork taskmaster.
“If your mentality is to go in cautious, you’ll probably pick up an injury,” said McClean.
“I just go in and play the game as it is and not think beyond that. That’s just me, personally speaking. I can’t speak for everyone.”
Sounds like something even Keano would agree with.
