Featured Image Credit: Getty & @RTEsport
Topics: England, Declan Rice, Football, Euro 2024, Denmark
Alex Brotherton
James McClean has made yet more savage comments about England and has doubled down on his criticism of Declan Rice.
On Thursday England drew 1-1 with Denmark in their second group match of Euro 2024, leaving them top of Group C and on course to qualify for the last-16.
Much of the reaction to the match has focussed on England's underwhelming performance, with Gareth Southgate's side looking lethargic and laboured in their opening two matches in Germany.
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England stars including Kyle Walker and Jude Bellingham and manager Southgate have publicly defended their performances, but that hasn't discontent among fans and the media.
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When that was put to Wrexham and former Republic of Ireland winger James McClean during RTE Sport's live coverage of the match, the Irishman went in hard on England.
"That's always been the English hype and media around the team, it's always over the top," he said.
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"For a country that's won one World Cup & have never won the Euros they're very expectant & very arrogant about their chances.
"Before a ball has been kicked their plotting their route to the final. I think they need to tone it down a bit."
McClean also doubled down on comments he made about Declan Rice on Wednesday.
During RTE's coverage of Germany's 2-0 win against Hungary on Wednesday, McClean said: "I think Declan Rice is very overrated. Don't get me wrong, he's a very good footballer, but the way the English media wax lyrical about him is completely over the top.
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"For me he's not world class. World class is someone whop gets into every single side in the world, and I don't think that he does."
On Thursday he doubled down on those comments, saying: "For a £100m player I want to see more than five-yard sideways and backwards passes.
"He attempted one forward pass in the first half [vs Denmark] and it went straight into the goalkeeper's hands. I want to see him do more, break lines. But in the midfield battle in the first half I think Denmark won it comfortably."