In a recent statement, Derry City interim manager Mark Connolly has confirmed that veteran player James McClean is still part of the club, despite swirling rumors regarding his future. This announcement comes after McClean was seen attending an open training session on Tuesday, which fueled speculation that the club may be negotiating a settlement to part ways with the former Republic of Ireland international.
Connolly, who stepped in as the director of football and took over first-team responsibilities following the departure of Tiernan Lynch last week, addressed the media about McClean's situation. He noted, "It was interesting to see the speculation on him turning up for training [on Tuesday]. Ultimately he’s trained sometimes and he hasn’t trained sometimes due to his age. James is a Derry City player and we keep moving forward. He’s one of 20-odd players. They’re all Derry City players." This statement underscores Connolly's commitment to maintaining team cohesion as they prepare for their upcoming matches.
The 37-year-old McClean, who returned to Derry City from Wrexham in January on a multi-year contract, has faced challenges during his second stint at the club. His time at Derry has not unfolded as anticipated, and he has openly expressed his frustrations regarding the situation. His comments have included discussions about "issues" within the club, especially following their exit from the Conference League qualifiers last month.
Despite being capped 103 times by Ireland, McClean has not been included in the last five matchday squads, leading to speculation about his future with the team. Tensions appeared to escalate over the weekend when a video surfaced showing McClean watching his former team, Wrexham, while Derry was competing against Sligo Rovers at home.
Even with reports suggesting that his departure from Derry City might be imminent, McClean participated in training on Tuesday and took the time to engage with fans, signing autographs. When approached by a BBC NI reporter who inquired about his status with the club, McClean humorously lifted his boots towards the camera and responded with a confident "clearly," indicating his commitment to the team.
This ongoing drama surrounding McClean is just one of many challenges Derry City has faced this season. Following a promising previous campaign where they finished as runners-up, expectations were high for McClean's return to help the team clinch their first Premier Division title since 1997. However, Derry City currently sits sixth in the league, a staggering 21 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers. This disappointing performance ultimately led to the dismissal of manager Tiernan Lynch.
While McClean has shown flashes of his talent during his time back in red and white, his tenure has been marred by injuries and absences from the squad, along with discontent expressed through social media. As the season progresses and tensions rise, questions loom over how much longer McClean can remain with the club he first represented from 2008 to 2011. Should this chapter close, it would undoubtedly mark a bittersweet conclusion for both the player and the club.
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