Doyle: McClean will come back brighter from Twittergate

Kevin Doyle, who captains Ireland for just the second time, when they play Oman at Craven Cottage this evening has said that James McClean’s Twitter own goal has, paradoxically, helped integrate him better into the squad.

“We found about it pretty much straight away and we said it to him straight away — that it’s not acceptable,” said Doyle of the explosive tweet which was posted from the team bus after the narrow win in Kazakhstan.

“He knew that as well and realised it within minutes. He tried to delete it and I think he’s shut down his Twitter now and everything, which should be a help to him. But he was massively apologetic.