James McLean says he needs no extra motivation to turn out for Ireland
Wednesday 31 May 2017 07:03, UK
James McClean has expressed his disapproval of players who put club before country, as he prepares to win his 50th Republic of Ireland cap.
The 28-year-old West Brom winger is in line to captain Ireland at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey against Mexico during the early hours of Friday morning.
Manager Martin O'Neill has praised McClean for asking to make the trip to the United States when many of his Premier League counterparts are not joining up with the squad until they return to Dublin at the weekend.
But McClean does not see his decision as praiseworthy and said: "What motivation do you need to play for your country? I'm fit and ready and available for selection.
"It gets on my nerves when players come in and they're not fit for games, but they are for the club games at the weekend. That gets to me.
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"To see the excitement here of lads who want to wear that jersey, it's brilliant.
"It rubs off on you."
McClean has become an increasingly central player in O'Neill's team in recent months, having scored twice in Moldova and the winner against Austria - who will be over for the reverse fixture at the Aviva Stadium on June 11 - to clinch two precious World Cup Qualifier victories.
With record scorer Robbie Keane having retired from international football, there is a huge void to be filled, and McClean is hoping to continue doing his part.
"That's my job," he said. "Robbie's gone now. We've got to share them. I've three [in the qualifying campaign] so far - I want to get as many as possible."
