West Bromwich Albion midfielder James McClean has stated that the boos he receives from opposition fans spur him on.
West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon celebrates scoring their first goal with James McClean
James McClean has been at the forefront of controversy for a while now and it is no surprise to see why. His decision not to wear a poppy on his shirt over the last few years has angered and upset fans up and down the country, with many people finding it incredibly disrespectful. As reported, by Birmingham Mail, McClean recently spoke to Belfast Telegraph and explained how the boos from opposition supporters affect him.
“I’ve got to be honest, I get booed everywhere I go now, but I try to turn that in the right way now, I try to use it as motivation.
“They can boo, they can chant, they can scream this and that, but at the end of the day, they can’t affect what I do on the pitch. It’s noise from the stands.
West Bromwich Albion’s James McClean in action with West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet
“At the end of the day, if they’re booing me, it gives you that ‘I want to prove you wrong’ automatically. That’s me as a person. You can sulk, or you say, ‘I’m going to show you’.
“It’s like someone telling you you can’t do something, you want to be determined to show them that you can.”
West Brom’s James McClean in action with Newcastle United’s Daryl Janmaat
McClean made the comments following his 100th league appearance, where he was booed mercilessly by fans of his former club Sunderland.
Fans of many other clubs like Leicester City and Norwich City have also directed abuse towards the midfielder since the incident, but the Irishman seems to simply take it in his stride and use it as fuel on the pitch. He will continue to try and make a statement in the Baggies’ next game against Tottenham Hotspur following the international break.
General view before the match
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