Watch: James McClean pays tribute to the late Ryan McBride in emotional BBC interview

Former Derry City winger paid tribute to the late Ryan McBride in an interview with BBC's Football Focus on Saturday morning.

 

McClean, who played with McBride at Derry between 2009 and 2011, spoke on a range of topics that have seen McClean rarely out of the headlines since joining Sunderland in 2011.

 

The 27-year-old attended McBride's wake following his passing in mid-March, two days before playing 90 minutes for his country in a 0-0 draw at the Aviva Stadium.

 

McBride passed away on Sunday, March 19th, shortly after captaining his hometown to a 4-0 win over Drogheda United in Buncrana.

 

“The news of Ryan passing away was something no one expected,” McClean told BBC's Juliette Ferrington.

 



“It was a massive shock. It hit hard because Ryan was the same age as me. I played two-and-a-half seasons with Ryan at Derry.

 

“I got on really well with him – he was the nicest guy you could have came across. On the pitch he was an absolute lunatic.

 

“His will to win, his desire to win – he was just fearless on the pitch. He was Mr Derry City. If anyone lives up to that billing it was him.

 



“I went to the wake and I remember seeing him lying in the coffin and it just didn't seem real. I'm just standing there in shock, no emotion, couldn't cry, and I almost felt guilty that I couldn't.

 

“And then the minute's applause [before the World Cup qualifier with Wales], that's when it really got to me. Everything just kind of built up and it just came out there in that moment.

 

“I just tried to use that emotion, to channel it in the right way and put in a good performance. I was thinking about them, and that one was for yous.”

 

McClean also spoke about his turbulent time in England as he was targeted by his own club's supporters at Sunderland for waiving his right to wear a poppy for Remembrance Day.

 

He also spoke about his work outside of football, including visiting Down Syndrome team the Oxford Bulls during the international break, an experience he said 'just made my day.'