IRELAND INTERNATIONAL JAMES McClean says he aspires to play again for League of Ireland side Derry City before hanging up his boots.
But he hopes current manager Kenny Shiels will be “long gone”, having previously spoke of his dislike of the 60-year-old, after he questioned the integrity of English-born Ireland internationals.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Sunday Sport, the West Brom winger stated his future intentions with the Candystripes.
“Derry is where I started and that’s where I would like to end my career,” McClean said.
“It’s a club that holds a special place in my heart. On the day I left Derry City to join Sunderland I said it’s the place I want to end my career. Hopefully they’ll have me.”
McClean would join the likes of Keith Fahey, Keith Treacy, Stephen Elliott and Damien Duff in the list of Ireland internationals who have returned home to play in the domesic league over the last couple of seasons.
The 27-year-old, who has grown into a vital member of Martin O’Neill’s team, by scoring the winning goals against Moldova and Austria in the last two World Cup qualifiers, said he could also see himself as a future manager of the northern club.
“To be manager of my hometown club means a lot to me. I’d be liar if I said it was something that didn’t interest me.”
In the feature interview, McClean also paid tribute to his former manager Stephen Kenny, describing him as a “father figure”.
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James McClean has been brilliant since MON took over
Good on him.Its only right that all players return to the club that they started.
Fair play to him.