West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady fired back at Stoke City winger James McClean after he took a dig at West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
The 29-year-old, who has 63 caps for the Republic of Ireland, suggested that the Hammers enforcer had disrespected ROI by once claiming he was a proud Irishman, only to now state he is a proud Englishman.
“He said he was a proud Irishman,” said McClean, as quoted by RTE.
“Then he said he was a proud Englishman. If he’s both… good luck to him but I don’t buy it. I think you’re either one or the other.”
McClean remarks didn’t sit well with Brady and she responded to his dig by stating that the 29-year-old must have a short memory considering he played for Northern Ireland U21s before opting to play for the Republic of Ireland at senior level.
“A nasty form of prejudice then landed on Rice’s doorstep,” wrote Brady in her column for The Sun.
“He is a big enough lad to defend himself but his decision to play for England ahead of the Republic of Ireland was his and his alone to make, no one else’s.
“So for that renowned expert on world affairs James McClean to aim a cheap shot at him — telling Declan to “sod off” — is pretty average behaviour.
“McClean’s memory must be failing him as he represented Northern Ireland Under-21s before opting for the Republic. Pretty dirty I’d say, Mr McClean.”
OPINION
Bravo Brady. The Hammers vice-chairman is right to claim that Rice doesn’t need anyone to jump his defence, but she does it so perfectly that he will no doubt be happy she did. McClean had no right to tear into Rice over switching from Ireland to England at international level as not only had the player made a somewhat similar move, it was time to move on from that debate. The Hammers 20-year-old made his decision to represent England and there was no need for McClean to even speak on the subject. However now Brady has addressed the remarks, hopefully McClean won’t drag on the argument by taking a dig at her, as that would be rather predictable. As for Rice, the 20-year-old impressed for England in his first two outings for Gareth Southgate’s side and he just needs to focus on playing well for the Hammers in order to keep racking up international caps.
