WEST BROM CAPTAIN Darren Fletcher has defended new team-mate James McClean, after the winger found himself at the centre of controversy once again.
The Derry-born Irish international was widely criticised for refusing to turn and face the English flag when God Save the Queen was played before Albion’s recent pre-season friendly in America against Charleston Battery.
But Fletcher has backed McClean and dismissed any suggestion that his comments had any affect on his relationship with his new teammates.
“He doesn’t want to cause upset, he has got his beliefs about a lot of things,” the former Manchester United midfielder said. “He’s not a troublemaker, he hasn’t done anything to cause trouble, he has not done any harm to anyone.”
“I have got a bit of an insight into it because my mum is Irish and I have got family in Derry. It’s a really sensitive subject. He’s got strong beliefs and it is great that he has those beliefs.”
Fletcher continued that he cannot speak highly enough of the former Sunderland and Wigan man’s abilities on the pitch.
“James has been brilliant, he has settled into the squad fantastically, showed a great attitude. He is a really popular member of the dressing-room.
“He is one of the best athletes I have seen in terms of stamina and running – he is an absolute machine. I can’t speak highly enough of him and his attitude — the way he has trained and played and the way he has been off the pitch.”
The 26-year-old will also be buoyed by the reception he got from the Albion fans at last weekend’s match with Walsall.
“The fans got behind him at the weekend and that speaks volumes of the Albion fans and I hope that continues. I was really pleased to hear it and I’m sure it was a real confidence booster for him because his aware of it.
“After the incident the rest of the media can have their opinion. The rest of the football fans around the country can have their opinion, but the most important thing I can do is relay to the fans how good a guy he has been.
“I think he is going to be a real good player and a great addition to the squad. For how much the club picked him up for (£1.5m), I think he will be a real bargain.”
best of luck to him. he has left a great template. 8 months of negotiations? feel sorry they dragged him through it for that long. probably had no intention of giving him whatever he wanted
A lot of unanswered questions in this saga. Very regrettable that Billy Walsh has resigned as Irish coach.
The IBAA will have a lot of explaining to do, how this situation wasn’t resolved.
Will Billy take more of his back room staff with him is the next question
it most likely will never be explained officially. most likely a case of one man becoming bigger than the organisation and the administrators can’t have that! not in this country anyway. a familiar end to an Irish success story.
You can almost hear their conversation – “Who the hell does Walsh think he is, look ah’ him, prancin’ around Doha like he runs the whole organisation, makin’ it ouhh like he’s the reason our boxers are doin’ so well, like it was all his ideas. Well it’s time to soften his cough and get rid ohh’ him. You watch, we’ll be grand, didn’t need him, he’s got too big for his boots!”
Well it wasn’t just money. The ability to pick your team as a coach and not need to have it ” ratified” by the boxing council is not much to ask.
The boxers will feel this the hardest and fair play to him he waited till after the world’s to announce his decision. He’ll be coaching the USA mens team before ya know it.