Ireland international James McClean capped off a great few days with a man of the match display as Sunderland defeated QPR at the Stadium Of Light.
fresh from signing a new Black Cats contract yesterday, the Derryman set up the first goal, added one of his own before playing a crucial role in the third to secure a 3-1 victory over QPR.
And today's impressive display did not go unnoticed by manager Martin O'Neill who showered praise on the Irish winger.
"I thought he was outstanding today, absolutely outstanding. And to be perfectly honest he's been outstanding since he came into the limelight," O'Neill told Sky Sports.
"I think (it was a) great performance by him today and he's earned every penny of it and he's been a great boost to the football club here in his time.
"He's got a great attitude to it. Not just a great attitude, he's got a great ability as well as he's shown this afternoon, I thought he was outstanding and I'm obviously delighted for him."
The 22-year-old penned an improved deal until the end of the 2014-15 season yesterday having signed from Derry City for just £350,000 last summer.
McClean's continued progress has also given Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni more food for thought ahead of his squad selection for Euro 2012.
Sunderland's experienced Ireland international defender John O'Shea has spoken of the positive impact James McClean has had on the team since emerging on to the scene as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Blackburn on December 11. McClean’s impact has gradually increased and he has started in each of Sunderland’s last three games.
The Derry born left winger who has expressed a desire in joining O'Shea in the green of Ireland in the near future, has taken the Premiership by storm with his impressive wing play and strength on the ball. And McClean's chances of a call-up by Trapattoni received a boost yesterday when Trap commented "We have time, one month, two months before we will write the list of players. We are considering him, 100%. We just don't want to put him under pressure. That is important for him, he's 22-year old"
Speaking ahead of Sunderland's trip to Stamford Bridge for the Premiership clash with Chelsea O'Shea said “James has put in a number of brilliant performances and he’s done it all off his own back.
“No one has had to guide him through and already after a few games he looks like he can develop into a great player and be an important part of the squad.
“He causes so many problems for the opposition. He’s quick, he’s strong and he’s got a lot to his game. He gets into great positions and he’s been rewarded for that with the goals he’s scored.
Former Derry City winger James McClean made an impressive debut last weekend after new Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill gave the 22 year old his chance to shine at the stadium of light, and the Irish international hopeful duly obliged by delighting the Wearside faithful with a stunning impact performance after entering as a second-half substitute.
McClean, who recently stated that it was his dream to represent Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland side, will have done his future international prospects no harm with his eye-catching Sunderland debut.
Signed by previous manager Steve Bruce in a £350,000 summer buy from Derry City, first-team opportunities have been hard to come by.
However, when given one by O’Neill, McClean grasped it with both hands and played a key role in the Black Cats’ dramatic comeback.
He said: “When I arrived, I just wanted to get into the team as soon as possible.
“I did not honestly expect it to be as quick as it has been.
“I came here with the mindset of working hard every day in training, trying to improve as a player and eventually getting into the team.
“Now I am just delighted to get my debut out of the way, but I am not taking anything for granted, I know it is only one game.
“I will continue with what I have been doing in training and try to improve.”
Of his debut, McClean revealed any pre-match nerves he might have had were eased by a quiet word from O’Neill prior to coming on the pitch.
He added: “It was not a bad debut at all with the manager’s first game in charge and to get the win as well. It was an all-round good day.
“I just came on and played my own game and it was a great moment. The manager just told me to go on, play my normal game and not be nervous.
“That gave me the confidence to just go on and do what I have been doing in the reserves.”
Last weekend’s win over Blackburn ended a winless run of five games for Sunderland and McClean has credited new gaffer O’Neill for providing the spark to inspire the team to victory.
He continued: “The new manager has come in and been a breath of fresh air.
“He has given the lads a lot of confidence by being upbeat. It has rubbed off on the players.
“Training has been different as every manager has their own style, but there have not been big changes.
“You could see what it meant to the fans to have Martin O’Neill.
“For him to gain a win in his first game in charge made it the perfect day.
“His managerial record speaks for itself. When you are a player like myself coming through the ranks, it gives you a confidence boost when there is someone like him in charge
Sunderland have completed the signing of Manchester United and Ireland defender John O'Shea.
O'Shea, 30, has signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.
Manager Steve Bruce said: "O'Shea's wealth of experience and versatility will be great attributes for us."
The Black Cats had a joint bid for O'Shea, Brown and midfielder Darron Gibson accepted last month, but the move for Gibson seems to have slowed with Stoke entering the race to sign the Derry born Ireland international.
Brown, 31, and O'Shea will add experience to a Sunderland defence that was badly affected by injuries last season.
Bruce added: "John has been a solid, consistent part of Manchester United's squad for well over a decade which goes to show the fantastic pedigree of player we have signed.
"He is a wonderful professional both on and off the field.
"I'm delighted with the players we've been able to secure ahead of the new season."
O'Shea, who has only ever played for United in his career, added: "Once I'd heard reports about the club and the people here, the ambitions and what the manager was all about, this was the only place I was going to come to."
Derry born Ireland international Darron Gibson has conceded that the time might be right to leave Man United in search of regular first team football with Sunderland as the ‘Black Cats’ close in on signing the midfielder.
Gibson - whose contract expires next summer - is viewed as a ready-made replacement for Jordan Henderson who looks bound for Liverpool with the Ireland international admitting last night he would “love to play for Steve Bruce” should he find himself surplus to requirements at United.
While it’s understood an agreement has been reached between the two clubs on the Gibson transfer, personal terms have yet to be ironed out with each of the player.
However, the attractive prospect of regular first team football under Bruce looks like being the deciding factor in any move for Gibson and the Derry man suggested that it could be the perfect time for him to part ways with his boyhood club.
“It wouldn’t faze me one bit to leave, all I want is what’s best for me,” declared Gibson. “So if the best thing for me is to leave and go somewhere that I’ll play every week then so be it.
“I haven’t sat down with Sir Alex to talk about it but obviously if it comes to me not playing as much as I would like next season then I’ll have to move on. It has come to the stage were I’m nearly 24 and I’m going to have to go somewhere else if I don’t start playing regularly.
“If it comes down to it I just want to go somewhere where it’s right for me”.
“Obviously playing International and Champions League football is going to be a big help to wherever I go. So if I do leave it will be a big help to which ever team I go to and it will obviously be a big help to me too if I’m playing every week.”
Ireland international David Meyler makes an ‘ahead of schedule’ return to competitive action when he gets a first real run-out for Sunderland Reserves tonight.
The Cork born Under 21 international has been sidelined since May when he ruptured knee ligaments in Sunderland's last home game of the season against Manchester United.
The very promising Irish midfielder twisted studs in the turf and damaged ligaments so badly that it was thought at one point, that the whole of this season could be spent recovering from the serious injury .
However, the earliest it was realistically thought he could be back playing football was the end of December, but he has astonished medical staff with the speed of his recovery, and after successfully coming through a behind-closed-doors game last week, is due to face Liverpool's second string
Meyler, 20, who was signed by Steve Bruce's predecessor Roy Keane from Cork City in 2008, started seven games for Sunderland last season prior to the injury, making his debut at the end of December.
He immediately caught the eye of manager Steve Bruce for his huge work rate during games. The Black Cats boss admitted he was stunned when the ProZone stats showed the volume of ground being covered by Meyler during a game, even surpassing that of Premiership marathon man, Cesc Fabregas. Bruce Said: “The lad’s miles above everyone else. He got through 13-and-a-half kilometres against City, which is phenomenal”.
The timing of Meyler’s injury could also not have been worse for the young player, as he had just been selected by Giovanni Trapattoni to take part in a senior Ireland training camp, which was due to take place the week after he sustained the ligament injury in May.
Sunderland will be keen not rush Meyler back too early, but the likelihood is, he will be back challenging for a Sunderland place after Christmas. He will also be keeping a close eye on his Ireland international chances, with a fit Meyler likely to be pushing for a squad place in the upcoming Carling Nation’s Cup competition, which starts in February against Wales in Dublin.
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is backing Cork born midfielder, David Meyler to return from his injury nightmare stronger than ever.
The Ireland u21 international returned to training with Sunderland this week after cruciate ligament damage, but it will be some time before the Irishman is back in red-and-white stripes.
Along with Jordan Henderson, Sunderland midfielder Meyler was one of the finds of last season. The young midfielders were handed five-year contracts as reward for impressive maiden seasons as established first-teamers.
But while Henderson’s star continues to rise – with rumours he is on the verge of elevation to the full England squad only weeks after his Under-21 debut – Meyler’s progress has been stalled by a horrific injury picked up against Manchester United in May.
Meyler has stepped up his rehab and begun light training after undergoing surgery on a ruptured cruciate knee ligament he suffered in Sunderland’s final home game of last season, against Manchester United in May.
But the Ireland international – who had just been called into the senior international squad before being stricken with injury – will not play again until the New Year.
The 21-year-old made a big impact for the Black Cats last season and will be welcomed back with open arms when he returns.
Sunderland chairman Quinn said: “Dave was feeling pretty sorry for himself, as you can imagine, but he is feeling a lot better now.
“He has always dreamt of playing for Ireland, and it looked as though that was going to happen over the summer, but it had to be put on the back-burner.
“What has happened might even make him appreciate his footballing career even more when he comes back, and he will want to come back stronger than ever.
“He’s a very valued part of what we are about here.
“For the way he came in and took things by the scruff of the neck last season, we’d be especially pleased to see him back fit again.
“We’ll take our time with it because he has a great career ahead of him.”
Sunderland and Ireland defender Paul McShane has been given a fresh chance to revive his career with a second move to Hull City.
The former Manchester United trainee, who spent five months on loan at the KC Stadium last season, has agreed personal terms with Phil Brown and was having a medical last night to complete a £1.5 million move.
Currently recovering from knee surgery, Wicklow born McShane is expected to resume training next week.
Hull City assistant manager Brian Horton said: "Macca was terrific with us when he was last here. He's one player we've looked at. I'm sure there'll be movement before the window closes."
Wolves owner Steve Morgan believes the club are still in the running to sign Reading striker Kevin Doyle.
Bolton Wanderers have matched the £6.5 million asking price with Fulham and Sunderland also thought to be interested in the Ireland international.
Newly-promoted Wolves have held talks with Doyle and Morgan maintains manager Mick McCarthy can bring the player to Molineux.
'Kevin Doyle is a quality player and all the players we’re talking to are quality players,' said Morgan.
“If someone like him becomes available, then we have to be interested. We’re having very constructive talks with several players at the moment.”
“'I’d like to think we’ll make further announcements in the next week or two. I wouldn’t say we’re pushing the boat out – the club has a budget that we will work to.”
'But we’re determined to bring quality to the club
Sunderland face an anxious wait to see if they can attract defender Richard Dunne away from Manchester City.
New Black Cats boss Steve Bruce has been heavily linked with a £5million move for the 29-year-old Ireland international since his unveiling as Ricky Sbragia's replacement.
Dunne has emerged as a target amid speculation big-spending City are eyeing Everton's Joleon Lescott and Arsenal's Kolo Toure this summer, but the Black Cats still do not know whether City manager Mark Hughes will be prepared to let the Dubliner leave Eastlands even if he does land his defensive targets.
And even if he is allowed to go, Sunderland are certain to face competition for a player who starred in his country's 1-1 draw in Bulgaria at the start of this month as they edged closer to next summer's World Cup finals.
In the circumstances, they are adopting a measured approach to their summer recruitment programme, which has already seen them touted as potential purchasers for a series of players in a variety of positions.
The acquisition of an experienced central defender to partner £8million signing Anton Ferdinand is a priority, with the former West Ham man having been made to pay for a series of lapses in concentration during his first season on Wearside.
Crystal Palace’s latest signing Anthony Stokes has vowed to put his past reputation behind him and move on with his career.
The Ireland youngster, who is on loan from Sunderland, has had a well documented past where his behaviour off the field has grabbed the headlines instead of his displays on it.
However, Stokes has put his misdemeanours down to immaturity when he first moved north from Arsenal.
He said: “I was only 18 when I went there and now I’m coming up to my 21st birthday, so I just think I have matured with age.
“Some of the decisions I made were stupid, but I have learnt from them and hopefully I can get my head together now.
“I think it is all a learning curve. At 18 I was playing for Ireland and involved in the squad and playing in the Premiership.
“This was all a good experience, so I don’t think it was wasted time and now hopefully I can learn from that and move on with my career.”
The striker has already proved his determination to impress at Selhurst by scoring a wonderful equaliser on his full debut to help the Eagles on their way to a 2-1 victory over play-off hopefuls Preston on Saturday.
He added: “I am delighted with the goal, but more importantly that we got the result.
“I was glad because they either end up in row Z or go into the back of the net and I’m just delighted today it went in. I came here to play games, score a few goals and help Crystal Palace as much as I can.”
One man who will be keeping a close eye on Stokes’ behaviour is Eagles boss Neil Warnock.
The manager is known for his no nonsense approach and although Stokes hasn’t had any run-ins with him so far, he has seen enough to know about his temperament.
He said: “I haven’t really seen him much. I have only spoken to him two or three times and had a few training sessions and games, but he seems like a livewire, so it should be interesting.”
Although only initially joining on loan, Stokes has not ruled out a permanent move in the future.
Asked about his future and the possibility of staying past his loan, he said: “I don’t really know to be honest with you.
“This came up earlier in the week and I just wanted the opportunity to play a few games.
“Reserve football is good, but I wanted to play at a higher level. I’m just glad to have the opportunity and hopefully I can carry on from here.
Despite being unclear about his own future, Stokes is hopeful Crystal Palace’s destination come the end of the season will be in the play-off places.
He added: “There is always a few teams that put a good run together.
“We put in a good performance and a good shift, which I think paid off for us today. “If we keep playing the way we are, and create chances like we did today, then there is no reason why we can’t try and push on.
“I want to keep playing week in week out, scoring goals and do what I can for Crystal Palace while I’m here.”
