O’Shea backs McClean to shine

John O’Shea believes Sunderland team-mate James McClean is more than capable of replicating his stunning breakthrough at club level with Ireland this summer — if he’s selected for the European Championships.

The former Manchester United utility player has been a paid-up member of the McClean fan club since the Derry youngster first bombed past him in a training session shortly after his arrival to England’s north-east.

McClean had to bide his time at the Stadium of Light as then manager Steve Bruce opted to keep him in the reserves but Martin O’Neill showed greater abandon by chucking him into the first-team and the winger’s impact was immediate.