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29th Apr 2017

James McClean reveals death threats in searingly honest BBC interview

He's won a lot of new fans

Patrick McCarry

James McClean may not be everyone’s cup of tea but no-one can doubt that he gives it his absolute all for club and country.

McClean’s combative nature, political stance, position on not wearing poppies on his jersey and the fact that he is never short of an opinion have all led to him copping a lot of abuse in away grounds.

Ahead of West Brom’s game with Leicester City on Saturday, the Republic of Ireland and Baggies winger sat down with the BBC for a frank, honest interview on his life on and off the pitch.

https://twitter.com/juliette_grace/status/858009080937549826

During the interview, McClean dismissed the notion that he is a dirty player and claimed he is merely driven to give his all to get the three points for his team.

When asked about the flak he takes for expressing political opinions, McClean revealed that he had received death threats in the past.

Following the Football Focus interview, there was a resounding wave of support for McClean:

https://twitter.com/SeanHego_/status/858277672451018753

He changed the minds of several people:

https://twitter.com/Ozey05/status/858278961478086656

https://twitter.com/j_arney/status/858278714894954500

But there will always be those that simply want to hate him:

https://twitter.com/garethg0704/status/858277156006318080

https://twitter.com/Kevan_Rickard/status/858276923671273472

You can’t please everyone.