Paul McShane back with a bang after Tigers Twitter tussle

For a player who thought he would never appear for Hull City again, Paul McShane’s return to the Premier League side in the 1-1 draw at Manchester City was as impressive as it was unexpected.

Out of first team contention since November and having been embroiled in that modern football phenomenon, a Twitter dispute with his club, McShane had been banished to play with Hull’s U21 squad by manager Steve Bruce.

But the shoddy defeat to Newcastle a week earlier forced Bruce into dropping club captain Curtis Davies and recalling the Ireland international defender who was part of an impressive rearguard action that came within seconds of achieving Hull’s first ever league victory at City.

“To be honest, I didn’t think I’d play for Hull again,” said McShane.

“But there is always hope. That is what I have had. Football changes so quickly, you have got to stay ready.

“You can’t hold grudges in football. It is such a short career. You have got to make peace with the past when you move forward. That is what I will do.

“It felt good, I felt fit. I have been keeping fit, staying ready for my chance because I think when you go a long time without playing and get thrown into a game like that you can get found wanting.

“I have just been trying to do everything I can to stay fit and, if called upon, be ready for my chance.”

Bruce certainly sounded like a manager who has forgiven and forgotten.

The exact nature of the original disagreement has never been revealed although the speedy manner in which it escalated probably speaks of the passion and stubborn nature of player and manager alike.

Not that Bruce was going to allow that to prejudice his urge to recall McShane at the Etihad.

“No because with Paul McShane — and I said this to him on day one — you always know what you are going to get,” said Bruce. “The problem with Paul is he gets himself a young angry man when he’s not playing and unfortunately he can’t control himself, which I can understand. I left the biggest club in the world because I got dropped for a Cup final so I know exactly where he comes from but I can only pick 11.”

Bruce’s recollection of being omitted from the 1996 FA Cup win over Liverpool drew a wry smile from McShane. “If I have to leave the greatest club in the world, Hull City, I’ll be disappointed as well,” he joked.