James McClean made the decision last year to move to Wrexham, a club playing below the level that he had previously competed at, but in some ways his profile and media interest has grew even bigger following the move.
That's because the club are owned by Hollywood megastars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney who have invested themselves financially and emotionally into the team to try and make them as successful as possible.
As was documented on the hit Disney Plus show 'Welcome to Wrexham' the club has achieved back to back promotions, and have built a huge global following in the process.
McClean, who was a part of RTÉ's punditry team for today's European Championship games, was asked what it was like to play a role in this incredible journey.
It's a hard one to explain, because you kind of have to be in the environment to kind of understand it", said McClean.
"When people ask me, the best way I can describe it is that it's mad, but if it makes sense, it's a good mad. It's also not a gimmick, things are done very well.
"We have had two promotions back to back, and we have to back that claim up, but it's been really, really enjoyable."
💬 "It's mad but if it makes sense, it's a good mad... but it's also not a gimmick"
James McClean lifts the lid on life at Wrexham, owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and a pre-season trip to LA #Euro2024 #SVKUKR
📺 @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer: https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ pic.twitter.com/lojWWQEWwA
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 21, 2024
Although Reynolds and McElhenney are well immersed in the world of Hollywood, there is nothing fake or superficial about their interest in the football club.
McClean says that the two actors are very hands on when it comes to the dealings of the team, and have an invested interest in the players.
They are pretty much well involved, two brilliant lads, no airs and graces, what you see is what you get, and they are quite involved.
"Even through text messages after games and that, they like to know what's going on on a daily basis, and they are involved a lot."
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Due to the the timing of the Irishman's transfer to the club, McClean missed out on the pre-season tour to America, and it's something that he is looking forward to experiencing this summer and the 'movie star' treatment that comes with it.
We have got two games in LA and one game in Canada, so it's something that I'm looking forward to.
"Speaking to the lads that went last year on the pre-season trip, they said it was brilliant, a great experience, and they said that they were treated like movie stars - pardon the pun."
Wrexham will be aiming for a third consecutive promotion this year, something that has never been achieved before, but with Hollywood behind them and a Derryman playing his part, then they could be the first to do so.
