James McClean is more than a little familiar with the scenario in which Jack Grealish currently finds himself.
Just a few years ago, McClean was the young, exciting winger who had two national teams to choose from in Northern Ireland and the Republic.
And the Wigan winger doesn’t believe that the dilemma is all that difficult after he broke down Grealish’s situation to the most basic elements.
“If you don’t want to play for a country then you shouldn’t play for them,” McClean told BBC Radio Foyle as he returned home to see former side Derry City fall to Shamrock Rovers in the EA Sports Cup last night.
“Look, I’m sure the lad will make whatever decision he makes. I love playing for my country and all the rest of the lads do who play there. If anyone doesn’t want to play then so be it. Go and play for someone else, that’s my view of it.”
Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill had offered Grealish, who is eligible to play for both the Republic of Ireland and England, an invitation to be a part of his squad for the upcoming friendly against England and the crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland, which the Villa youngster turned down.
It’s not known whether Grealish would have featured against the Scots due to the significance of that game and his inexperience at international level and McClean is in no doubt as to just how important the match at the Aviva is.
“If we don’t win, I think we can kiss goodbye to France,” he claimed. “It’s something to look forward to. Look, we didn’t perform in Scotland and we know that but we have a chance to make amends now and if we get three points it would set us up nicely and give us a real chance of getting to France.”
After Wigan crashed out of the Championship and with talk of a move to MLS, McClean refused to shed light on where he will be plying his trade next season.
“I’m fortunate to have quite a number of options but just for me at the minute I’m enjoying my time at home and letting other people take care of that stuff and do their job,” he said.
“I’ve just turned 26 so this next move is going to be the most crucial of my career. There won’t be any rushed decisions.”
“I share the same ambition as every player and I want to play at the top level. It would be great to play in the Premier League again. I have nothing to prove to nobody else, only to prove to myself.”
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