Former Republic of Ireland star James McClean has shown his support for Spain ahead of the Euro 2024 final.
McClean has been vocal in his criticism of England during Euro 2024 in his punditry work for RTE Sport.
The 35-year-old had branded England as ‘very arrogant’ earlier in the tournament, after the Three Lions struggled to impress in the group stages.
‘That’s always been the English hype and media around the team. It’s always over the top. For a country that’s won one World Cup and have never won the Euros, they’re very expectant and very arrogant about their chances,’ McClean said.
‘Before a ball is kicked they’re always plotting their route to the final. I just think they need to tone it down a little bit.’
Former Republic of Ireland star James McClean has shown support for Spain by wearing a shirt from Euro 2012 ahead of the nation facing Spain in the final in Berlin
England will be hoping to win the European Championship for the first time on Sunday night
McClean has been a vocal critic of England on the route through the tournament in Germany
England have since ground their way to the Euro 2024 final, with Gareth Southgate‘s side eventually living up to their status as being one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Ahead of the final in Berlin, McClean took to Instagram to show his support for England’s opponents Spain by wearing one of their national team shirts.
‘All set… now we hope and pray,’ McLean wrote, adding emojis of a Spain flag and a smiling face.
McLean’s shirt is one worn by former Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa from Euro 2012.
The Republic of Ireland had suffered a 4-0 defeat to Spain in the group stage at the tournament.
He had come off the bench for the final 15 minutes of the match in the Polish city Gdansk.
McClean’s vocal criticism of England at Euro 2024 has largely centred on Declan Rice, having branded the Arsenal star as being ‘overrated’.
‘I think Declan Rice is overrated. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a very good footballer, but the way the English media wax lyrical about him is completely over the top.
McLean’s shirt is from a Euro 2012 group stage match, where Spain earned a crushing 4-0 win over the Republic of Ireland
McClean has been vocal in his criticism of England star Declan Rice during the tournament
‘For me, he’s not world class. To me world class is someone who gets in every side in the world. I don’t think he does that. I don’t think he gets in the Man City side ahead of Rodri. To me Toni Kroos is world class, He dictates the game, Rodri dictates the game, I don’t think Declan Rice does that.
‘Someone who gets it on the half turn, plays passes forward. He’s very good at what he does.’
McClean previously played alongside Rice at international level, with the latter making three senior appearances for the Republic of Ireland before switching allegiance to England in 2019.
He doubled down on his criticism after England’s group stage draw against Denmark.
‘I made a comment about Declan Rice that people have got their knickers in a twist about but for a £100million player I want to see more than just five-yard sideways and backwards passes,’ McLean said.
‘He attempted one forward pass in the half and it went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands. I want to see him do more, break lines, but in the battle in the first half, Denmark just won it very comfortably.’
