McClean thrilled to be in Euro 2012 squad

The Sunderland man was told that he was in the squad by boss Giovanni Trapattoni this morning and that phone call was somewhat of a surreal experience.

“I’m over the moon to be in the squad. In fact, it’s a dream come true to be in the Ireland squad for a major championship,” admitted McClean.

“I got a phone call from Mr Trapattoni this morning and although it was a nice wake up call, it was also very nervous and I had a butterflies in my stomach feeling until he told me that I was in the squad.”

Now that he’s in the squad the gifted winger wants to impress and force his way into Trapattoni’s starting line-up.

“I’m like everyone else in the 23 man squad. I want to play,” stated the 23-year-old.

“We have three very tough games against Croatia, Spain and Italy, but you want to be playing against the best and you probably can’t get any better than Spain. My first plan is to try and do well whenever we link up together and try give to the manager some food for thought.”

The level headed youngster, who only a few months ago was plying his trade against the likes of UCD, Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic and is now taking the hand out of top English Premiership sides Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, also concedes that he probably won’t sit down and take time out to reflect on how far he has come in such a short space.

“I would be lying if I said that the last year, in fact the last few months, have not been a wee bit unreal, because it was only in December whenever I got my chance in the Sunderland side and since that I have played more games and represented Ireland and now I’m in the Euro 2012 squad,

“To be honest I’m not that type of person. I really don’t think I’ll sit down sometime and think: ‘Whoo, I was playing in the League of Ireland a not that long ago and now I’m in Ireland squad for the Euros.’ I just take everything in my stride.

“Yes I know it’s amazing not just to be in the Ireland squad, but to firstly break into the Sunderland team and then playing more regularly for them and getting my first cap for Ireland and now I’m in the Euro 2012 squad, it really is a dream come true for me.”

The former St Peter’s High School pupil was also over the moon that fellow Derry man Darron Gibson is also in the squad, along with ex-Derry keeper David Forde.

“It’s a great achievement for the city that both myself and Gibby are in the squad and hopefully we can make the city proud.”