Tony Pulis rebuke for James McClean over British national anthem snub
Before Albion’s game against Charleston Battery in South Carolina, both teams turned towards the national flags during the anthems, but McClean turned away and stood with head down.
He had previously caused a stir in 2012 when playing for Sunderland by refusing to wear a poppy on his shirt ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
McClean, who comes from a nationalist area of Northern Ireland, received death threats on Twitter after that from a man claiming to be a former British soldier.
“I had a chat with him and explained what we do as a football club and the way we are and I think he’s fine with everything,” Pulis told the club website yesterday. “Hopefully we’ve nipped it in the bud and we can get on with our things and he can get on with his things.
“Obviously there has been a stigma around him and he doesn’t need to start that up again.
“We’ve got Northern Ireland lads in the squad and he’s been absolutely fantastic with them, and the way he’s mixed and integrated with the group has been brilliant.
“I’ve seen the pictures and he’s got to turn towards the flag like everybody else has and he recognises that.
“We want him to be as open and honest as he possibly can within the group and the group want to be as open and honest as they can with him.
“It’s just about integrating him and him understanding the rules we work to at the club and we’re all together on and off the pitch.
“He’s been fantastic in his energy levels and the way he works.
“He’s been a fantastic player so far for us. He’s trained with a smile on his face and he’s been really good around the place.”
Meanwhile, the Baggies are expected to step up their interest in Liverpool’ striker Rickie Lambert and a deal could be concluded by the end of the week.
Pulis is hunting a new striker to help Saido Berahino with question marks over record signing Brown Ideye’s future following a disappointing first season in England.
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