McCLEAN HINTS AT MOVE AWAY FROM BAGGIES
ALBION winger James McClean has conceded that he may need to leave the club in the summer if he is to secure firstteam football on a more regular basis
McClean has made more than 100 appearances in two-and-a-half years at The Hawthorns, but almost half of them have come from the bench.
He’s started just six times for the Baggies this term, despite his success on the international stage with Ireland. Back in his native Derry for a reception to celebrate his awarding of the RTE Sportsperson of the Year, McClean told the Derry Journal in an interview that he’d maybe consider a move elsewhere if it meant more game time, after a “really frustrating” period at Albion. “I want regular football, wherever that may be. If it’s the right fit for me and it provides me with regular football then I’m open to anything,” McClean admitted.
“I just want to play football. I’m 28 now and the last 18 months have been really frustrating. I feel that I’m at my best when I get a run of games. I feel that’s eluded me this past 18 months when I would get a few games and then the team is changed for whatever reason.
“We’re in a relegation fight now at West Brom and we need everyone pulling in the same direction. I’ll give 110 per cent while I’m at West Brom to make sure we get the best results possible.”
McClean, formerly of Sunderland and Wigan, has scored once this season, a fine individual goal in the 2-1 defeat at West Ham last month.
He was the subject of an offer from Championship side Derby County in the transfer window, but Albion rejected those advances and McClean stayed put. .
Now, with the club in serious trouble at the bottom of the Premier League, he plans to ensure Albion remain in the top flight and has vowed to offer “110%” of his efforts in order to do so.
“There was no loan offer from Derby. It was a permanent deal but it didn’t materialise,” the winger continued. “West Brom had their value and I’m not in the game to dictate my value – that’s up to clubs to do.
“I think West Brom wanted £15 million but Derby weren’t prepared to pay tha. Whether I think that’s wrong or not, it’s not up to me to say.
“I just want to play football whether that’s at West Brom or not. While I’m at West Brom, for however long that may be, I’ll give everything for the cause like I always do.
“If I move on in the summer, no matter where I go, I’ll always give my all. I can’t dwell on it (Derby’s failed bid).
“The move didn’t happen. If you dwell on things that don’t happen, moves and what not, it’s gone so there’s no point dwelling on it.
“We’re in a dogfight and I’m ready to play my part. We need everyone fighting and pulling in the same direction.”