If you've been following us here at Balls.ie for a while you'll know that squad numbers matter, and we can be a tad OCD when it comes to what player is wearing what number, and we're certainly not alone in that regard.
Usually, the sight of a defender like William Gallas wearing #10 or Shane Duffy wearing #7 for Ireland, or even an attacker like Clint Dempsey wearing number 2, it's enough to make us roll our eyes and utter 'game's gone', but there are, of course, exceptions.
News has emerged tonight that James McClean has asked to wear the number 5 in honour of his friend Ryan McBride who tragically passed away earlier this week.
James McClean has asked to wear the No 5 jersey against Wales in memory of his friend & Derry captain Ryan McBride https://t.co/z9lMKt2r7H pic.twitter.com/iwYOZNnuQR
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) March 21, 2017
That would be a lovely tribute, and we certainly hope his wish is granted.
McBride of course wore the number 5 proudly for Derry City as he lead from the back, and to have McClean bombing down the wing with his number on the back would be a special sight.
Richard Keogh was allocated the #5 shirt for the last competitive game against Austria, and we're sure he'll have no problem in letting it go to McClean for this special reason.
