James McClean was one of those to join in a chorus of criticism aimed at Declan Rice after Martin O'Neill announced on Monday that the 19-year-old was not in the Ireland squad for the upcoming games against Wales and Poland.
Rice is deliberating over his international future said O'Neill. England had come calling with the fact he has only played in friendly games for Ireland meaning he could still switch to the country of his birth.
Kevin Kilbane said on Twitter that he'd rather see Ireland ranked 150th in the world and never qualify for a major tournament again rather than have a player who has lined out for Ireland (Rice has three caps) but still needs time to think about if they should play in green again.
"Bang on lad.. representing your country should be an honour and a proud moment," responded McClean.
The 29-year-old was then accused of hypocrisy by some. Prior to playing for the Republic, McClean had lined out for Northern Ireland at U21 level.
Via the transitory medium of Instagram Stories, McClean responded to his accusers.
"Let's clear one thing up here, people crying hypocrisy on my part. My situation is nowhere near the same, I didn't qualify to play for Ireland through no granny rule!" wrote the Derry man.
I am an Irish citizen living in the island of Ireland, I have never in my life claimed to be anything other than Irish!
I played with the North when I was younger, I have openly admitted in the past to taking advantage of a system to further myself, we all make mistakes. Big difference here is I had no intention of ever playing senior football for the North of Ireland, nothing or no one would of ever changed that, which I made crystal clear when I declined a senior call up whilst I was a Derry City player.
So I stand by with what I said playing for your country should be an honour and a proud moment.
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
