James McClean's punditry career has got off to an explosive start, as the free-thinking Derry man hasn't been afraid to express his views, particularly when it comes to criticising teams and players.
The Wrexham winger joined RTÉ to help cover the European Championships this summer, and already McClean has made some headline-grabbing remarks.
On two separate occasions, he has commented on England's Declan Rice, stating that the player was "overrated" and even claimed that he was "not world class."
Interestingly, McClean shared a dressing room with the Arsenal midfielder during his time with Ireland, before he switched allegiances to England.
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When asked about McClean's comments, The Independent reports Rice as saying: "I played with James for Ireland for three games and I got on with him really well. I am not going to sit here and slag him off.
"I thought he was a really top guy. When I left Ireland to come to England, I heard a few things he was obviously not happy about. He made comments a few years ago.
"It is what it is. I am not going to sit here and say anything about him. He's had a great career himself – I think he is coming to the end of his career now and he’s got over a hundred caps for Ireland.
"It would be easy for me to sit here and say something back to him but, like I said, we are at opposite ends of our careers now – he’s 35 and I’m 25.
"I’ve known him, I’ve played with him, he’s entitled to his opinion and I’ve had to fight a load of those opinions from other people before.
"It might be a bit of bitterness towards me not playing for Ireland but I’ve not got a bad word to say about him, to be honest. I see the comments but I don’t try to put too much energy into it.
"It is what it is and you move on. You live and learn."
"I think Declan Rice is very overrated" - James McClean does not believe the hype around England's midfielder is justified #EURO2024 #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/CGIoXBWWmD
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 19, 2024
Rice certainly took the high road on this altercation, but if England were to lose, draw or deliver another disappointing performance in tonight's game against Slovenia, then it is unlikely that McClean will change his opinion on him.
