It was an eventful, painful and ultimately satisfying day for Republic of Ireland international James McClean, whose Wigan team drew at home to Bolton today.
The Derryman scored Wigan's only goal of the match. McClean was perhaps lucky to be sent off for a second yellow card but would leave the DW Stadium in a walking boot and crutches after injuring his leg in the second half.
It was the latest instalment in the beef between McClean and Bolton. There is real tension between McClean and Bolton supporters. McClean was linked to with a move to Bolton in the summer only to choose his former club.
"The Bolton one, for a lot of reasons, wasn’t something I was going to take interest in," McClean said after moving from Stoke.
Bolton manager Ian Evatt then clapped back at McClean in a press event:
"If that is the case then he needs to communicate with his agent, because he didn’t stop ringing me for three weeks after I’d told him no."
McClean then scored twice for Wigan when they thrashed Bolton 4-0 back in November and saltily posted to his instagram page the following message: "Actions not words. Enjoy your weekend ‘tics fans and rub it right in."
It was always going to be a bit edgy when Wigan hosted Bolton today. McClean scored in the 23rd minute and was subjected to sectarian abuse and chants about being a terrorist from pockets of the away fans.
'Racism is not okay, not today or any day' on the big screen as the away end chant about the IRA. Football in 2022. #wafc
— Paul Kendrick (@PKendrickWIG) April 2, 2022
@LaticsOfficial wonder if the EFL & Kick it out are listening? No didn’t think so 😡😡
— Bob Whittle (@BobWhittle1) April 2, 2022
While he suffered a serious-looking injury in the second half, McClean took to instagram this evening to let Wigan - and Bolton fans - know his true feelings
James McClean replies to Bolton fans
Got to love McClean 🤣 #wafc #bwfc pic.twitter.com/UZ91LAbqTv
— Nathan Sinclair (@NathanSInclai10) April 2, 2022
Wigan are tied with Chieo Ogbene's Rotherham atop League One. We await news on the severity of McClean's injury.
