McCLEAN IN DOGHOUSE
Welshman Pulis not happy with heroics
WORLD CUP hero James McClean has been brought back down to earth with a bump.
The Republic of Ireland star might have been the toast of the town on Monday night but he’s in the doghouse at West Brom.
McClean scored the goal that clinched a play-off place but knocked Wales out in the process.
And his club boss – proud Welshman Tony Pulis – wasted no time letting him know exactly what he thought about it.
McClean’s Cardiff heroics meant the gaffer was waiting to ambush him the minute he returned to his club.
Pulis said: “I just ignored him walking down the corridor. He said, ‘Good morning’ with the biggest grin I’ve ever seen in my life.
Banter
“He won’t be playing for me again after what he’s done to Wales.
“To be fair, I’m pleased for him because he’s done brilliantly for me.
“There’s a bit of banter going around the place as you would imagine and the manager is taking a fair bit of stick, as you can also imagine.
“James has most probably done better for Ireland than he has for us but that sometimes happens.
“I think we paid £500,000 for him and I don’t think anyone would say James has been anything but brilliant.”
McClean, born and bred in Derry, is the man fans love to hate over his refusal to wear a poppy on his shirt for Remembrance Sunday. But Pulis added: “James is a smashing lad, great round the place. Everyone has respect for him.
“He’s 100 per cent week in, week out. People don’t know James McClean, just like people don’t know Tony Pulis.
“It’s just perception most of the time. You can only speak as you find him.
“The players in the dressing room all like him and I’ve got a lot of respect for him and his family.”
Meanwhile, Nacer Chadli has flown to Germany to have his back treated by controversial doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt.
The man known as ‘Healing Hans’ has an impressive list of clients including Usain Bolt, Ronaldo, Michael Owen and even U2 rock star Bono.
Pulis said: “He’s got a little bit of stiffness and is going to have an injection.
“He’s had it before when he was at Tottenham two or three times. The doc here is happy for him to have the injection.”