IRELAND manager Martin O'Neill has defended West Brom’s James McClean after his recent controversial post-match celebrations in Sunderland.
The 26-year-old escaped action by the FA over his antics, which sparked anger among fans of his former club – some of whom were singing anti-IRA songs – and Sunderland players after West Brom’s 1-0 win on Saturday, October 17.
O’Neill said that he empathised with his fellow Derryman’s reaction, and he believes McClean has been targeted on the pitch over his refusal to wear a poppy to commemorate Remembrance Day.
"As players or managers, if you're getting dogs' abuse all day long and then you react to it, you're considered to have no discipline in your body. Sorry, it's almost a natural reaction," said O'Neill.
"I saw what James did. He'd been taking some stick during the course of the game. Having played for Sunderland, and performed well for them for a long period of time, I assume their fans are unhappy because he refused to wear a poppy.
"That's something I think you have to take into consideration one way or another. But it was something he did, it was almost instinctive. There are some players who just get on with it. I must admit I have reacted myself in the past.”
McClean found himself at the centre of controversy again after he turned his back when God Save The Queen was being played during a pre-season friendly in America.
"You have to curtail certain things," O’Neill added. “I want James to go and settle down and not go on to the field like he did against Poland in the home match.
“That was when Roy Keane, of all people, just said to him before coming on as a substitute, 'just settle, don't do anything (stupid)'. And then 48 seconds later crushes their player (Arek Milik), says he should have got the ball but got booked and prevented himself from playing in another game.
"Those are the things that I would be speaking to James about. I don't think he'll have any problems with any political situations when he's playing for Ireland.
"You don't want to take some of the aggressiveness out of James. He gets hyped up for the games but is good to have around.”
