James McClean and only James McClean will decide when to call it quits
LOI deserves to see Jimmy back on the field
God bless the poor surgeon who took it upon himself recently to tell James McClean that ‘he has no business being on a football pitch’ as he delivered a preliminary prognosis on the playing future of one of Ireland’s most iconic footballers.
We can only assume that the unnamed medic was telling it as he sees it, having first examined McClean’s ongoing hip injury before delivering his final verdict at a meeting with the Derry City player on Friday just gone.
That meeting was first revealed by McClean on social media on Thursday night last. The outcome will probably become public knowledge in the coming days as McClean and his club consider his options.
Based on McClean’s post, it may not be good news given that the old plastic pitch at the Brandywell has only aggravated his hip problem since his return home from Wrexham.
When James tells you that he is struggling with the pain, you better believe him. When he explains that it is interfering with his life, including his devotion to his kids, then you can only begin to sense how serious it all is.
Hence his fear, as revealed on Instagram, that the injury may be too far gone to facilitate the surgery he feels represents his only chance to fulfil his final wish in football and serve his Derry City club with distinction and pride before he finally retires.
The surgeon would appear to be in the glass half empty camp. But many people before him have told James McClean that he has no business being on a football pitch. And he’s never bowed to any of them.
Part of that is the Derry in James McClean, the resilience that has seen those who worship the Candystripes through so many hard times in the past. They know a challenge in the North-West and like his peers, McClean loves a challenge. They also know how to battle against the odds.
That’s why Tiernan Lynch confirmed after Friday night’s big win against Shamrock Rovers that he wouldn’t be surprised if James turned up in a wheelchair and still togged out in the red and white stripes.
It wouldn’t surprise any of us to be fair. When he came home from Wrexham’s version of Hollywood in January, Jimmy wanted to end his career by making a real impact on the Derry team. Not, I suspect by limiting his movement in a central midfield role curtailed by the pain and restrictions of this hip issue.
He deserves a better swansong. The League of Ireland also deserves a fitting farewell season or two from the player who earned 103 caps for his country and won the heart of the nation with his commitment.
Never afraid of a fight or taking a stance, McClean will give this last battle his all. He deserves to win it and to end his professional career on his own terms, not on the recommendation of a surgeon.
Ironically, James McClean wasn’t in the Derry set-up for the game against Rovers. He did train at the interim City venue with his team-mates on Thursday, just before his Instagram post dropped, but he didn’t make the match day squad.
So he wasn’t put out to grass at Celtic Park on Friday. Fitting, if you think about it.