James McClean arrived for Derry City training on Tuesday morning, defying widespread reports that his contract with the club had been terminated. The 37-year-old winger, who has been outspoken about the situation at the Brandywell, showed up for training despite speculation that his time with the Candystripes was coming to an abrupt end. Derry City currently sit 6th in the Premier Division with 33 points from 27 games, following a 2-0 win over Sligo Rovers last weekend.
What happened at training?
McClean's arrival at the Brandywell was captured on video by Simon Collins of the Derry Journal, showing the veteran player walking into the stadium. When asked by UTV's Gareth Wilkinson if he was still a Derry City player, McClean responded with a blunt "Clearly. No doubt about that." This comes after reports from David Sneyd of The42.ie suggested that McClean and Derry were set to part ways.
Why is McClean's future uncertain?
McClean's return to Derry City earlier this year has been marred by controversy. His debut saw him cup his ears to Shamrock Rovers fans after providing the match-winning assist, and he refused to speak to a journalist post-match. His feud with Roddy Collins, who labeled him the "worst signing in LOI history," escalated, as did his public outbursts against manager Tiernan Lynch. McClean has played just four League of Ireland matches since his rant about unkept promises.
What comes next for Derry City?
Derry City are on a two-game winning run, with their next fixture against UCD away on August 14. The club will be looking to build on their recent form, which has seen them score 35 goals and concede 32 this season. With 21 points separating them from league leaders Shamrock Rovers, the focus will be on securing a strong finish to the season.
