McClean: I will keep my cool in heatwave
Georgia v Rep Ireland World Cup Qual Group D, 5pm THE heat is on here in Georgia – but James McClean is vowing to come out firing again.
The winger has been the Republic of Ireland’s talisman in this campaign, weighing in with three vital goals to date.
But with temperatures in the Georgian capital predicted to dip only marginally below 30C (86F) by kick-off, Ireland are sweating on a big three points.
And McClean – with Serbia still to come in Dublin on Tuesday – warned: “It would be really foolish for us to look beyond Georgia.” Ireland have a habit of making life difficult for themselves against lower-ranked teams and were in trouble in Moldova last year before McClean’s match-winning brace.
The West Brom winger, who will win his 52nd cap tonight, has stood up to be counted in this campaign and has become a trusted lieutenant of boss Martin O’Neill.
McClean added: “I’ve scored three and if I can score some more and it ends in us getting a good result, then I’m happy, I’m just looking to do my part.
“There’s four games to go and we’re in a really healthy position.
“But as the cliche goes, it would be really foolish to look past Georgia.”