Wrexham star James McClean reveals how 'very disrespectful' phone call about move to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side was 'major factor' in decision to retire from Republic of Ireland duty

The 34-year-old winger opted to join the project being pieced together at SToK Racecourse by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in the summer of 2023. He had been playing in the Championship at Wigan, but stepped down into League Two as a free agent in order to link up with Hollywood superstars in North Wales.

McClean has said in the Irish Examiner of passing news of that big career call on to Ireland head coach Stephen Kenny: “He couldn’t get off the phone quick enough. That spoke of what he thought about the move. I don’t think he was on board. Ultimately, I would say that was a major factor in my decision to step away from Ireland. Sometimes when you make a decision, you are made to walk the plank. I felt that if I don’t walk away now, I may never get the opportunity to say goodbye on my terms. I thought it was very disrespectful. I had offers to stay in the Championship but at my age I wanted to do something that would excite and be a challenge. Wrexham had a project and it’s a successful one. Nobody forced me to make the move but I’m glad I did and there’s a sense of justification.”

McClean decided that his final appearance for Ireland, at least for now, would be against New Zealand in November 2023. He added on Kenny opting not to hand him the captain’s armband for that fixture, which is customary in farewell appearances, while also taking him off just past the hour mark: “To be not given the opportunity of leading the team out and then to be taken off after 66 minutes - not even as a single substitution but as a double substitution - I just thought was poor. It’s a moment you never get back but I wasn’t going to let it ruin the occasion. I’ll be honest, how my Ireland career ended leaves a sour taste in my mouth.”

While frustration remains for McClean at international level, his decision to link up with Wrexham has been justified. The Red Dragons have been promoted into League One, with there an option in McClean’s contract for a 12-month extension to be triggered.