Bruce hails the rise of McClean

Former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has hailed the development of James McClean and says circumstances contrived to prevent him from playing the Republic of Ireland winger prior to his sacking.

Bruce signed McClean from Derry City last summer but it wasn’t until the former Manchester United star was dismissed and replaced by Martin O’Neill that the 22-year-old was handed his debut in December.

Since then McClean has been a revelation and calls are growing for him to be in Giovanni Trapattoni’s 23-man squad for Euro 2012.