James McClean will make his final appearance in an Ireland shirt on Tuesday night. The 34-year-old, who announced his intention to retire from international football last month, will win his 103rd cap when he lines out against New Zealand.
"I'll be quite honest with you, it's not because of my body or that I feel my abilities have diminished," McClean said on Monday when asked about his reasons for retirement.
"I still feel as fit as ever. I still believe that I'm best person for the role. I've never doubted myself in that sense.
"I've played 46 games out of 46 games [for Wigan] in the Championship last season, 45 of them starts. I was second for fullbacks in goals and assists, and [had the] most successful tackles in the whole league.
"There's other factors. I've got personal reasons. I've got my own reasons why I'm stepping away. I feel now is the right time to step aside, let others come through. I've had my time. I have no regrets."
20 November 2023; James McClean and manager Stephen Kenny during a Republic of Ireland press conference at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
McClean also took the opportunity to hit back at those who have suggested he is more of an athlete than a footballer.
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"My self-belief is probably my biggest attribute, my mindset," he said.
"It actually insults me in a way because I see some of the comments, ‘He was never the most gifted’ and this and that.
"That actually insults me because you have to have ability, you don’t go on to play 12 years in England, I’ve got 150 Premier League games, 103 international caps after [Tuesday night]. You have to have ability.
"I see this, ‘Ah yeah, great work ethic’ and this and that. ‘He’s a good runner’. Yeah? Well, go grab Mo Farah off the street and stick him in.
"You have to have ability to go with it. When I read comments like that, it insults me. Maybe when I retire I will get more recognition for my football ability than I do now."
17 November 2023; James McClean with Andrew Omobamidele and Liam Scales, right, during a Republic of Ireland training session at Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
McClean, who now plays with League Two side Wrexham, said that in terms of his club career, he has "no plans to hang up the boots any time soon".
"I am going to savour Tuesday and then I promised my wife and kids, because I never had a summer off in a long time, we are going to go book Florida, go away for a month, and enjoy Disneyland," he said.
The Derry man added that what he's most proud of from his 15 years, so far, as a professional footballer is having "made a successful career in a very hard industry, and the longevity in doing that at a very high level."
"I've been able to give my children and family a good future off the back of that," he said.
