James McClean: ‘I know other players who don’t want to wear the poppy, but they don’t want the hassle’

James McClean celebrating scoring for Republic of Ireland

James McClean has said he was “a bit naive” and thought he would “pave the way for young Irish lads” when he decided not to wear a football jersey with a red poppy embroidered on its chest back in 2012.

The Derry native, who has now signed for Wrexham under the ownership of Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, spoke to Sky Sports this week about the sectarian abuse that has plagued his professional soccer career for over a decade.

McClean has not worn a poppy during his many years in English football, citing the actions of the British Army in his home city on Bloody Sunday.

He has regularly been targeted with abuse by football fans for the decision and disclosed that he has received death threats in the past.

Referencing the initial moment on November 10, 2012, when McClean - then representing Sunderland away at Everton – first declined to wear the poppy-adorned shirt, the now 34-year-old said: “Yeah, look, maybe I was a bit naive in thinking you know, with me being the one that took the stand first, it'll pave way for young Irish lads coming through and it doesn't seem to be the case.

"I speak to a lot of people and I've had players say that they don't believe in wearing the poppy and they wouldn't wear it, but they just don't want to the hassle.

"So in a way, you know, I was I was kind of hoping by me doing it that would open a door for them to kind of do that themselves when they're doing something that they don't want to do.

"But probably they're afraid of the backlash and that's fine. You know what you don't want because it's horrific abuse and it can be quite taxing.”

The Republic of Ireland international continued: "So I understand why they