Ireland star James McClean mocked by England fans after wearing Germany top

Stoke City winger James McClean has rarely shied away from controversy over the years, and the Republic of Ireland’s absence from Euro 2020 hasn’t prevented him from getting involved again.

McClean, 32, was watching England’s round-of-16 clash against Germany from his home on Tuesday.

But the footballer, who has lived in England for more than a decade, wore the colours of Germany.

The Championship veteran took to Instagram and posted a story of him in a German strip with Toni Kroos’ name on the back.

It incurred the wrath of many England fans in the process, but the tables turned as Three Lions fans enjoyed having the last laugh.

Goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane saw England defeat their Wembley guests 2-0 to move into the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.

Many revelled in the fact McClean had backed the losing team, with one account tweeting: “James McClean sat in his living room with the wife and kids, head in hands with the Toni Kroos Germany top still on his back. Inject it right into my veins.”

Another user was far more condemning in their verdict, replying: “Don’t think I’ve ever disliked anyone as much as I do James McClean.”

Another chimed in: “And the winner of the 2021 award for ‘The man who does himself no favours’ is the repugnant James McClean.

"If he hates England so much then he’s a complete hypocrite and should be plying his trade elsewhere.”

Do you think England will go on to win Euro 2020? Let us know in the comments section.

McClean has a frosty relationship with England fans, who have hurled abuse at him during games in the past.

The 80-cap Republic of Ireland star has received online abuse for refusing to wear the poppy, citing the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972, in which 13 civilians were killed by British soldiers in his native Derry with one more dying later.

McClean has in the past landed himself in hot water for his social media activity.

Stoke fined their player two weeks wages after he posted on Instagram a picture of him sitting in front of his kids wearing a black paramilitary-style balaclava, along with the caption: “Today's school lesson – history.”

McClean apologised for his reference to the IRA shortly after and said he would be deleting his Instagram account, though he remains active more than a year later.

The Republic of Ireland made it as far as the play-off semi-finals in their efforts to progress to the finals of Euro 2020, though they lost to Slovakia, who eventually beat Northern Ireland to qualify.

England entered Tuesday’s contest having failed to beat Germany in the knockout rounds of a major tournament since their triumph in the 1966 World Cup final.

However, they now have a chance to reach the semi-finals of a European Championship for only the third time, provided they beat upcoming opponents Ukraine in Rome on Saturday.

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