McClean must be on plane to Poland, says Hand

Former Republic of Ireland manager Eoin Hand has urged Giovanni Trapattoni to take Sunderland star James McClean to this summer’s European Championships.

Derry-man McClean, 22, has enjoyed an explosive start to his Sunderland career in his first season on Wearside, which has led to growing calls to include the flying winger in Ireland’s 23-man squad for the Euros.

“Right now, if it was my decision and I was the manager, I would take McClean because he brings something different. He is a strong runner, he is good defensively, he is brave and he can score goals so I would bring him,” Hand said.