McClean eyes qualification after difficult month

James McClean is hoping to end another difficult November on a high note by helping the Republic of Ireland reach the Euro 2020 finals.The Stoke winger met up with his international colleagues last weekend having found himself the target of alleged sectarian chants from Barnsley fans during his clubs 4-2 Sky Bet Championship win at Oakwell, an incident which prompted a Football Association investigation.Derry-born McClean has been subjected to annual abuse over his refusal to wear a Remembrance Day poppy on his shirt during his time in English football despite his well-documented and articulately-presented reasons.However, as he prepares for Monday nights final Group D qualifier against the Danes in Dublin, the 30-year-old midfielder insists he is not ready to turn his back on the game on the other side of the Irish Sea.McClean said: No, not really. It doesnt bother me. It probably affects my wife and my ma more, but thats something I probably dont take into consideration, how they feel.For me, I just get on with it. I think over the years, Ive developed a kind of thick skin and its just water off a ducks back for me when it happens.Instead, McCleans concentration in the last week has been on ensuring the chance to play at the finals of another major tournament does not elude him after missing out on last summers World Cup finals as a result of Denmarks 5-1 play-off victory at the Aviva Stadium two years ago.He said: We had a chance of qualifying for a World Cup, and obviously it didnt happen, so it hurt.We havent been to a World Cup since 2002, and I personally have never played at a World Cup, so it was a huge opportunity missed. I have been lucky enough to play in two European Championships, so come Monday if we qualify for a third, that will probably be the ghost laid to bed.Mondays game represents the latest instalment in a two-year saga which has seen the sides also play out four boring, in McCleans opinion, draws with the Danes, who have at times been less than complimentary.Midfielder Thomas Delaney has likened playing against the Republic to opening a can of baked beans with your bare hands and described them as the most annoying opponent, while Christian Eriksen at one point accused Ireland of being scared to attack Denmark.McClean is nothing if not forthright indeed, he was involved in a terse exchange with a journalist over coverage he did not like before beginning his interview and he will be happy if Age Hareides men are annoyed once again after their latest encounter with the Irish.He said: Hopefully they are more irritated after Monday and are sick of the sight of us and never want to play us again. If thats the case, then we will have done our job.(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
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