Tigerish McClean playing his cards right with Ireland

Picture the young James McClean when he first wore a Sunderland jersey. Memories stir of a fearless winger slaloming down the touchline. It seemed, even then, to be almost old-fashioned in a league that was no longer so in thrall to the hustle and bustle of years gone by.

McClean’s route-one approach to making it from A to B was almost reckless in its simplicity. That aggressive intent on getting the job done is still integral to his game but we associate it these days with his commitment to winning the ball more than his use of it.