Stephen Bradley 'delighted' about James McClean's return to League of Ireland
Stephen Bradley said he has "nothing but respect" for what James McClean has done on and off the pitch. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Even if his Shamrock Rovers players bear the brunt of James McClean’s exuberance on his debut, Stephen Bradley is rejoicing the return of the League of Ireland’s highest profile player.
Today’s President’s Cup has been described by Derry City manager as a ‘glorified friendly’ but Ireland centurion doesn’t distinguish games by status, especially his first match back on home soil for 15 years.
Added spice comes in the form of it being the meeting of last year’s top two and Derry benefactor Philip O’Doherty promising to bankroll the tilt at unseating the double holders Rovers.
The billionaire’s latest evidence of that vow was recruiting 36-year-old McClean from Wrexham in the Championship on a two-year deal.
Speculation continues to link them with other marquee ex-internationals, local defender Shane Duffy and Kevin Long, ahead of the first league fixtures on Friday week.
“I’m sure James will have his moments but that’s him and part of who he is,” said Bradley, referring to the firebrand’s trademark forcefulness that’s got him into trouble, both on and off the pitch.
“I’ve full respect for him and I know he’ll bring a lot to the table for Derry.
“What a career James has had and I’m really looking forward to us playing against him. We all talk about growing the league and this grows the league. I’m all for it and delighted to see him back.
“There’s no doubt that he’ll definitely take Derry up levels. Derry have spent a hell of a lot of money. That’s good for the league and what we want.”
Bradley’s admiration is deepened by the prototype McClean is for the current generation of League of Ireland talent.
Niall Quinn and Steve Bruce were responsible for bringing the winger to Sunderland when he was 22.
“James wasn’t the poster boy who went away to England early – he’s shown the path to others,” noted the Hoops boss.
“For someone to come from Derry, leave the league, get 100 caps and come back here, I have nothing but respect for him on and off the pitch.
“He’s shown the path for what can be achieved. Not for everyone but players in the league. What he’s done is special.”
There should be plenty of fighting talk from McClean and colleagues given the financial muscle they hold in pursuit of a first Premier title since 1997.
O’Doherty is able to back it up, informing Lynch and the public that the “chequebook is there” if another gamechanger enters the market. Bradley welcomed the bullish tones from the man who has retired from his booming engineering business to take a more hands-on role at his beloved local club.
“Their owner has come out saying he wants to win the league - that’s brilliant, what we want,” emphasised the Rovers chief.
“When they raise, we must go and so has everybody. It’s so important that we have that in the league.”
Derry finished three points adrift of Rovers in last year’s campaign but the reality was wider due to the Dubliners struggling over the line when requiring a point from the final five matches.
It completed the fifth crown in six seasons and illustrated to Lynch what was he required to bridge the gap.
He feels his relatively late arrival at the Ryan McBride Brandywell for last season hamstrung them in terms of recruitment, whereas their business on 2026 signings began midway through last year.
They’ll spend a chunk of the season relocating to nearby Celtic Park while their artificial pitch is being replaced by a hybrid grass surface – funded again by O’Doherty.
“There was talk of us moving to Sligo Showgrounds, which would have been a bigger disruption for us,” explained the Candystripes boss.
“With the fans, to an extent, it'll be a home from home as it’s 100 yards away from the Brandywell.
“The big thing from our end is just trying to get the pitch, making the pitch playable for football rather than Gaelic.
“I know the club is working really hard, as they have been, to try and accommodate that.
“Ultimately there has to be a little bit of sacrifice for us to get a grass pitch down. I think nobody wants to play on that (artificial) pitch week in, week out.
“I think we'll be a better team and a better league for it.”
The former Larne boss doesn’t subscribe to the narrative of Derry being the sole challengers to Rovers’ supremacy.
“I know there's all kinds of speculation out there,” he outlined. “People think when you see James McClean and because we finished second that it's the natural step and all goes with it.
“Anybody who just thinks that's a foregone conclusion is delusional.
“We're under no illusion that this league will be more difficult for us next year.
“To get anything, you've got to be at your best every week – and you need luck regarding injuries and suspensions.
“We also have the Europa League in July so we know how tough this will be. We can't stop the noise from elsewhere.”
There’ll be no shortage of that with McClean stomping around.
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