McClean dismisses any ideas of a return with the Republic

WREXHAM star James McClean has bluntly dismissed the idea of coming out of retirement from international football.

- 

It follows the revelation that Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson considered trying to recall the 36-year-old for two crucial upcoming matches due to a lack of options at left-back.

The Icelandic coach ultimately decided against the idea, citing McClean’s current lack of playing time for Wrexham in the Championship.

Hallgrimsson called up uncapped New York City defender Kevin O'Toole for Ireland's important World Cup qualifying doubleheader at home to Portugal and away to Hungary instead.

The move raised eyebrows among some pundits, including former Ireland international Keith Treacy, who suggested that McClean would have been a better squad option.

Outlining his reasons for deciding against it, Hallgrimsson told the Irish Times: “He [McClean] was in our thoughts. It was just his playing time has been really limited. But he was in our minds. We talked about him, yes.”