'I hope Derry win every game this season apart from four' - no split loyalties for James McClean as brother Patrick joins Sligo

James McClean says there'll be no split allegiances when brother Patrick comes up against his hometown club Derry City on Saturday night.

 

The Republic of Ireland star's younger brother sealed a move to Sligo Rovers from Waterford on Wednesday afternoon – and is in line to debut against the Candystripes this weekend.

 

But lifelong Derry fan James has no problem admitting that family comes first every time as he'll be cheering the Bit o' Red on following West Brom's Premier League game with Huddersfield Town.

 

“I hope Derry win every game this season - apart from four,” the winger said at the launch of the Red Bull/Neymar Jr Fives at Irishtown Stadium in Dublin.

 

“Win, but lose the four to Sligo! Obviously family comes first.”

 



McClean has backed his brother to grasp the nettle and continue to improve on his return to the Premier Division with the ever-improving Bit o' Red.

 

21-year-old Patrick, like his brother, came through the ranks at the Brandywell but made the decision to join the Blues last season in search of more regular football.

 

He got that at the RSC, and was an integral part of Alan Reynolds' side's ride to the First Division title, but he's on the move again for pastures slightly closer to home.

 



“I think it's a good move for him. He had a good year last year with Waterford.

 

“Waterford have been very good for him, but now it's a challenge for him to go and play more regularly this year at Sligo. It's up to him to grasp that with both hands.

 

“He's definitely got the ability, it's just whether he applies himself now and kicks on.”

 

His friend, and former Derry City teammate, is Gerard Lyttle's assistant manager at the Showgrounds and McClean thinks the ex-midfielder will be a good influence on his brother.

 

“Kevin Deery being there as well, who I know well and get on very well with, will keep him on the right path as well. Having another Derry head there will keep him on the road.”

 

McClean reiterated his desire to finish his career back in Derry with the Candystripes once he's achieved all he can in the UK.

 

And he feels the return to a redeveloped Brandywell, following a year out in Buncrana at Maginn Park, will be good for the city – with one small reservation.

 

“The only disappointment is they put in a 4G pitch, which is madness. I'm one of those, I think football should be played on grass and that's it.

 

“It was disappointing for Derry to lose their first game in Waterford, but they brought in a lot of players so for Derry to have a good season those players are going to have to gel pretty quickly.

 

“I don't know much about the new players they brought in, so I can't really judge on how they're going to fare, but I hope they have a good season.

 

“Just the five defeats, obviously having lost already. Four defeats and hopefully win the rest!”

 

James McClean was speaking at the launch of Neymar Jr’s Five, Red Bull's five-a-side football tournament with a twist. Every time one team scores, the opposition loses a player, which makes it fast, technical, tactical and unique in the world of football. To participate in the regional qualifiers this February, teams of five to seven players must register at www.neymarjrsfive.comand select their preferred qualifier in either Dublin, Limerick, Belfast, Galway, Cork or Carlow. The national final will be held at the end of April with details to be announced in the coming weeks. The winning male and female team will then travel to the World Final at the Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr in Praia Grande, Brazil.