Winger has the tools to make real impression at Baggies
EBULLIENT West Bromwich Albion winger James McClean is used to being cast in the role of public enemy No.1.
On Monday night, hero and villain.
His second-half goal in dashed Wales’ World Cup but kept the Republic of well and truly alive.
McClean’s fine strike secured second spot in Group D and pushes the Republic into a nervy two-leg playoff against either Italy, Croatia, Denmark, Switzerland or Portugal from the seeded pool.
It was the 28-year-old’s fourth goal in qualifying.
That was one short of Harry Kane for England, Spanish trio Alvaro Morata, Diego Costa and David Silva, Croatian hitman Mario Mandzukic and lethal German pair Sandro Wanger and Thomas Muller... but the same number as he has managed in 84 Albion appearances and counting.
Baggies’ head coach Tony Pulis has just not been able to get the best out of McClean in the same way as Ireland boss Martin O’Neill, who also managed the midfielder at Sunderland.
The same hunger and passion has he was both Cardiff dreams, Ireland’s always been there when he has donned Albion’s stripes but the cutting edge shown regularly for his country has been missing for his club.
A perfect case in point would be his last appearance for West Brom.
On two occasions, one right at the very end, McClean found himself in excellent goalscoring positions to wrap up a win against Watford, but he lacked the same kind of confidence and conviction that has become a theme of his appearances for Ireland.
“He has just been magnificent, magnificent,” O’Neill purred. “His energy… when you see James getting tired in a game with 10 minutes to go, you realise the rest of the players must be really tired because James just keeps going, keeps going.
“His drive and determination have been a trademark for us now and he has been magnificent in the tournament for us, absolutely magnificent.”
You could argue O’Neill has shown more faith in McClean by starting him in more matches.
He began nine of Ireland’s ten qualifiers and only missed the win over Georgia last week because he was suspended. But he’s also had ample opportunities to impress Pulis. The suggestion he’s a limited player is simply a myth.
McClean has enough technical ability and energy to make a big difference in big matches. Excellent in Ireland’s Euro 2016 win over Italy, he has now scored winning goals in Moldova, Austria and Wales.
Most of McClean’s goals for Albion have come against big-name opposition in Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham. Kyle Walker never had it so tough playing for Tottenham as when he attempted to keep a rampant McClean quiet during a 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns in October 2016.
There are big performances in McClean against the very best around – Pulis just needs to make sure he taps into those a whole lot more often.
It’s not as though Ireland and the Baggies employ very different systems either. The Republic have more than resembled Albion in the way they approach games, especially so in Cardiff on Monday.
McClean has the tools to become more than just a player who can occasionally make an impact from the bench. It’s high time he became the toast of club as well as country.