World & National · Global

James McClean: ‘Wearing the poppy was just never going to happen’

The former Republic of Ireland international on growing up in a community still reeling from the Troubles and the controversy that scarred his career “The perception of me is that, basically, I am a madman,” James McClean says calmly. “I’m outspoken. I’m a loudmouth. I’m very opinionated and I hate all things British.