'There's a burning oven inside that guy' - Ryan Reynolds compares 'grumpy' Wrexham star James McClean to Hollywood icon Samuel L. Jackson

Speaking to the Wrexham fan podcast Fearless in Devotion, Reynolds spoke about his experience of supporting the Red Dragons and named James McClean as one of his favourite players to watch. He even compared the Irish winger to Hollywood icon Samuel L. Jackson, likening the brooding intensity of the pair.

McClean has played a key role in Wrexham's historic third successive promotion season, registering four goals and six assists across 41 matches and providing a crucial attacking spark for the League One side, as well as being a commanding captain and important leadership presence.

"There is a burning, fearsome, 5000 kelvin oven inside that guy that is remarkable, and one of my favourite players to watch," Reynolds said of McClean. "I grew up as the youngest of four boys, right, I have a people-pleasing gene in me somewhere. I always love the guys that don’t have that. I gravitate towards grumpy people… Samuel L. Jackson can be a grumpy person and he’s one of my favourite human beings on planet earth because of it. I love it. James has a bit of that."

At 36, McClean is one of the oldest and most experienced pros in Wrexham's squad, but he's showing no signs of slowing down. As the Welsh club gets ready to navigate the second tier for the first time in over 40 years, McClean's know-how is likely to come in extremely handy.