James McClean deletes criticism of Shrewsbury after becoming the subject of heated abuse

Wrexham lost their chance to go top of League One on Thursday when they lost 2-1 in the derby against Shrewsbury Town. Both during and after the match, former Ireland international James McClean was subjected to a barrage of abuse from Shrewsbury fans.

McClean faces the usual criticism from the home support on Thursday amid constant chants of “F*** the IRA”

In the clip below, you can see a projectile thrown at McClean and a fan being carried off the ground as McClean waits to make the throw.

Now James McClean.

In the first half, he was fussy and tried to break someone. He was arrogant. Then the fans got involved.

He became the star of the show again in the second half, and it came from someone being carried off.

He gets the stick, but he doesn’t help himself, like the first half pic.twitter.com/QSHnxCbfXg

— Shropshire and Midlands Jacks (@ShropshireJacks) January 16, 2025

One particular flashpoint came in the 98th minute, when McClean took on a powerful tackle from Shrewsbury centre-back Toto Nsiala.

Now that’s a tackle we can all celebrate. James McClean was sent into orbit last night before he lost his head. Shrewsbury have found an admirer.

pic.twitter.com/icVKkoMIue

— GM (@GM1872_) January 17, 2025

The clip went viral on Friday and galvanized the usual brigade of McClean detractors on social media.

For example, the following tweets:

Unit 18, I am so proud of you. You kept McClean’s head off the field and you can say you really got him. Every single one of you who keep chasing him deserves my praise

— Ben (@benjenkers) January 16, 2025

McClean hit back at Shrewsbury supporters on Instagram on Saturday morning, calling the Shropshire town “an absolute cesspool full of inbred animals”.

He wisely deleted the post a few hours later.

Meanwhile, Shrewsbury Town tweeted a picture of Nsiala this morning.

pic.twitter.com/UUAcEzol89

— Shrewsbury Town FC (@shrewsburytown) January 18, 2025

Manager Phil Parkinson asked Sky Sports after Thursday’s match how McClean had dealt with the violence.

he’s fine James is used to it wherever he goes. The fans are on his back at home and away and it can be tough and overwhelming at times, but he’s used to it.”

He also said his team deserved criticism for their poor performance.

We had a lot of good times and got a lot of praise, but we deserve criticism tonight because the level of our work wasn’t where it should have been, but we’ll take that criticism together as a group and go out and respond next week.”

Wrexham host Birmingham City next Thursday in a match that will draw more attention to both the club and McClean.

After the teams met in September, the home fans at St Andrews threw a cup of coffee at McClean.

After that match, he quoted Bobby Sands saying:

“There is nothing in all their imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of an Irishman who does not want to be broken.”

PS Fair play to one old steward who kept them all from going over the 2ft billboards.