Featured Image Credit: Getty/James McClean via Instagram
Topics: Euro 2024, England, Spain, Declan Rice
Chris Byfield
Topics: Euro 2024, England, Spain, Declan Rice
James McClean has issued a brutal message to England ahead of the Euro 2024 final.
England take on Spain on Sunday evening in the European Championship final, hoping to claim their first major trophy since 1966.
With Spain the narrow favourites, having won all six of their games in the tournament so far, including against the likes of Croatia, Italy, Germany and France, James McClean has taken to Instagram to show his support for La Roja.
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The former Republic of Ireland international shared a photo of himself donning a Spain top, alongside the caption: “All set... now we hope and pray.”
McLean's shirt is the one worn by former Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa from Euro 2012.
The winger has been vocal in his criticism of England during Euro 2024, telling RTE Sport earlier in the tournament that the Three Lions are “very arrogant”.
“That's always been the English hype and media around the team. It's always over the top. For a country that's won one World Cup and have never won the Euros, they're very expectant and very arrogant about their chances,” McClean said.
“Before a ball is kicked they're always plotting their route to the final. I just think they need to tone it down a little bit.”
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He also refused to label former team-mate Declan Rice as world-class.
McClean said: “For me, he's not world-class. To me, world-class is someone who gets in every side in the world. I don't think he does that.
“I don't think he gets in the Man City side ahead of Rodri. To me Toni Kroos is world-class, He dictates the game, Rodri dictates the game, and I don't think Declan Rice does that.
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“Someone who gets it on the half turn and plays passes forward. He's very good at what he does.”
He doubled down on his criticism of Rice after England's dismal group stage draw against Denmark.
“I made a comment about Declan Rice that people have got their knickers in a twist about but for a £100million player I want to see more than just five-yard sideways and backwards passes,” McLean said.
“He attempted one forward pass in the half and it went straight into the goalkeeper's hands. I want to see him do more, break lines, but in the battle in the first half, Denmark just won it very comfortably.”