Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has expressed his delight at the rapid rise of Black Cats winger James McClean, a player he knew nothing about only two months ago.
McClean's move to the Wearside outfit, a £350,000 transfer from Derry City, went relatively unnoticed during a period of heavy recruitment at the Stadium of Light last summer, and for the first four months of the season he did not make a first-team appearance.
That all changed when O'Neill succeeded Steve Bruce in early December, with the new manager handing McClean his senior debut by bringing him off the bench in his first game in charge.
Since then, the 22-year-old Northern Irishman has emerged as a key figure for Sunderland and his winner in Saturday's 1-0 Premier League victory at Stoke was his third goal in 11 games so far.
"He is performing brilliantly for us," O'Neill said. "He has had a great, great couple of months. Considering everything, I thought he took his goal brilliantly.
"I didn't know him at all until I arrived at the football club, so to see him blossoming out there has been very pleasing for everyone, obviously myself included."
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David - what an ignorant comment. Is there really any need for that?
He's going to rape Newcastle soon.
SUNDERLAND TILL I DIE.
if bruce had played him it would probably be at right back.
bruce signed some very good players but had them out of position & couldn`t understand why it didn`t work. all MON has done is put the same players in the positions they`re best at.
I think the beginning of the end for Bruce was the defeat to Newcastle--a local derby at home where he fielded a 5 man midfield and a lone out of sorts striker (Gyan) up front.His inability to change tactics ie.persisting with Al Mohammadi and Sessignon when at the time it just was not working. Ji and Wickam always looked more dangerous when they were brought on for the last 10 mins. McClean simply underlines the above. In Bruce's defence,he built one of the meanest defences' I can remember.
Could not agree with you more Malcolm. Was Bruce nursing him along as he was to young? he seemed to state this about other players a lot.
yeah jonny your'e right it was a good signing what we cant comprehend is as to why when we needed a left wide player didnt he play him ?????
Good signing by Wor Brucie!!
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