McClean seeks starting spot with Sunderland

JAMES McCLEAN is hoping his impressive display in Sunderland’s dramatic 1-0 victory over Premier League leaders Manchester City will be enough to earn him a starting berth against Wigan tonight.

The former Derry City man starred on his first start for the Black Cats as Martin O’Neill’s side stunned the league leaders thanks to a Ji Dong-Won goal in stoppage time.

McClean, who has made a number of cameos off the bench since fellow Derry man O’Neill took charge, now hopes to secure a regular spot in the starting XI.

“I’ve had a few run-outs lately and the manager knew I was hungry for it so I was delighted when I found out I’d be starting,” McClean, who retains hope of gatecrashing Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad ahead of the Euro 2012 finals, explained.

“Hopefully I can push on and get more starts now.”

McClean said Sunderland deserve ‘‘huge credit’’ for their display against big-spending City.

“There was jubilation after Ji’s goal — the whole place just erupted,” said the 22-year-old.

“To put in a performance like that against one of the best teams in the country and come away with the win, the team deserve huge credit.’’

McClean said the squad gave everything they had against a City side who went into the game looking to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Sunderland were hit badly by injuries and illness in the build-up to the game but McClean says their discipline and determination saw them through.

“We put a lot into the game, some of the lads were out on their feet, including myself — that just shows great determination and character for us to break forward and manage to come away with the win,’’ he told the club’s website.

“It was a tough game, we stayed disciplined and kept our shape throughout the game and we got in their faces and it paid off.”