James McClean said he takes offence at the poppy being “forced upon me” after standing by his ongoing refusal to take part in pre-match Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

James McClean has once again explained his stance over the poppy and commemorative events in the UK around Remembrance Sunday. Clubs across England have been marking the day – which took place last Sunday – with a minute’s silence before matches along with players donning a poppy on their kits.

James McClean spoke out for the first time since refusing to stand with his Wrexham teammates during the Remembrance silence.

Former Republic of Ireland footballer James McClean has said that he won’t “compromise my convictions” in his continued stance on wearing the Remembrance Day poppy.

James McClean also has a tattoo with the lyrics of 'The Town I Loved So Well', a song that is the anthem of his home city. He is a product of the city that made him. Proud, defiant, unbreakable.

Wrexham captain James McClean stood separately to his team-mates and refused to wear a poppy as the club observed a minute’s silence for Remembrance Sunday ahead of their fixture against Mansfield.

A video shows what James McClean did to Mansfield fans after refusing to stand with his Wrexham teammates as they observed a minute's silence ahead of Remembrance Sunday. McClean has refused to take part in Remembrance commemorations ever since he moved to England back in 2011.