James McClean saves Irish career after apologizing to teammates

Trapattoni forces winger to say sorry in London

James McClean has saved his Ireland career – after a public apology to his team-mates in a London hotel.

The Sunderland winger had to climb down after his Twitter rant in Kazakhstan on Friday night.

The Derry born youngster had infuriated Trapattoni and senior Irish players when he branded the 2-1 win over the minnows as ‘a f*****g joke’.

Trapattoni had threatened to kick the Ulsterman out of his squad before the team flew to London for Tuesday’s friendly against Oman.

Instead he made McClean issue a grovelling apology to his team-mates at their hotel.

McClean has also quit Twitter and apologized to the Irish fans for being "disrespectful."

McClean wrote: “I apologise for my tweet last night, it was stupid, disrespectful and i let my frustration get the better of me which still aint an excuse.”

The McClean row is the latest incident between Trapattoni and his players after Everton midfielder Darron Gibson withdrew from the squad ahead of the win in Kazakhstan.

But striker Kevin Doyle, who grabbed the late winner in Astana on Friday, insisted there is no crisis in the Irish camp.

Doyle said: “Everyone is together. Everyone respects the manager 100% and there is no other scenario.

“Honestly, it’s the same as any squad I have been involved in with Ireland. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and feeling but as far as I can see everyone is right behind the manager and hopefully that win will ease the pressure on us.”

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Nster.com