James McClean: 'The media almost gets a kick out of us not doing well'

Ireland international James McClean has hit out at the treatment of the Irish team by the Irish media in the wake of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan.

The Boys in Green had to rely on a late Shane Duffy equaliser to salvage a point.

And that result means Stephen Kenny has yet to record a competitive win as Ireland boss.

But McClean feels the criticism faced by him and his teammates in recent days by the Irish media is unfair.

“I tell them to pay no attention because the media in Ireland is just as bad, if not worse than the media in England,” McClean said.

“They get a kick out of us not doing well. It’s a shame, but as senior players we know how it works and we just need to tell them that’s how it is part and parcel of football.

“They should pay no attention. People are fickle. As soon as you start winning games you are the best in the world again.

“We need to start winning games and when we do, the criticism will start going away.”

He added: “Funnily enough the one’s who have the bigger opinion have never kicked a ball in their lives.”

When asked whether or not he feels the media have been patient with this team, he explained that they need more time to show what they can do.



“I’ve been around for ten years now, and nobody is going to convince me otherwise,” he said.

“Sometimes it is fair and sometimes it isn’t. It’s my opinion and nobody is going to change that. It’s easier when you are not winning games.

“You’ve got young players and it is their first time playing international football. I don’t want to use that as a cop out.

“This is a manager who is in his first job in international football. We are going on a different path to what Irish teams have in terms of styles of football.

“When you take consideration into Covid. I’d ask for patience with them, but football is cut-throat. The media is harsh but when you are not winning games it falls on deaf ears.”

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