McClean’s memoirs plan bemuses O’Neill

Just as Martin O’Neill seemed to be accepting questions on Roy Keane’s book being a matter of routine, along comes James McClean to trouble his Ireland manager with plans to pen his own memoirs.

That the 25-year-old — who placed O’Neill in enough predicaments during their time together at Sunderland through his frequent outbursts on social media — would be considering such a venture perplexes O’Neill.

“You’re talking about James McClean?” was the manager’s retort to the media relaying the player’s intentions from his own interview minutes earlier after training at Gannon Park.

“Hmm. I thought you wrote an autobiography when you’d done something. Hmm. No, he’s only a kid isn’t he? Hmm. Well, good luck to him.”

When asked for his views on Keane’s controversial book, McClean had deadpanned “That’s Roy’s business” before adding, “I’ve actually started one myself; I’m in the early stages.”

Once established he wasn’t joking, the winger was asked to suggest a possible title. He snapped back: “Marmite, you’ll either like it or hate it!”

By his own admission, McClean has ground to make up for his planned life-story to be rosy.

Since his breakthrough season at Sunderland in 2011/12, under the guidance of O’Neill, the Foylesider has struggled to replicate those heights.

“Maybe I hit the heights a bit too quickly and people expected a lot,” McClean said.

“It all happened in the first season at Sunderland. I’d gone from the League of Ireland to the European Championship finals in less than a year.

“It’s just about reinventing myself now, getting back to that level. I’ve learned a lot, good and bad, the time I was there. I’m better for it now, as a player and as a person.”

Despite O’Neill’s attempts to convince otherwise, the weekend visit of group minnows Gibraltar will act more as an audition for the big game against world champions Germany four days later rather than a test.

McClean may well be amongst the supporting cast pushing their credentials for Gelsenkirchen.

He said: “The manager gave me my chance at Sunderland which I am eternally grateful for. But I still have to work as hard as ever. I just cant come in and take my place for granted.

““And, if I am given the nod on Saturday, then hopefully I can do a job so I can push for a start on Tuesday.”