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McClean: made his Wigan debut against Manchester United on Sunday. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/Press Association Images

Quinn: Wigan a 'backwards step' for McClean -- now he's got to deliver

Is James McClean good enough to play at the highest level? He has to cut out the distractions and prove it, says Niall Quinn.

NIALL QUINN HAS challenged James McClean to knuckle down and prove that he’s good enough for the Premier League.

McClean was one of the biggest Irish movers of the summer transfer window, leaving Sunderland for relegated Wigan Athletic in a deal worth £1.5 million.

The winger made his debut in Wembley on Sunday, playing an hour in the Latics’ 2-0 defeat against Manchester United in the Community Shield.

Quinn, the former Sunderland chairman, admitted the move was a “backwards step” for McClean who made a strong start to life in the Premier League when he joined from Derry City in the summer of 2011.

But homesickness and ill-advised outbursts on social media both proved to be a distraction for the 24-year-old, who also suffered a backlash for his refusal to wear a poppy on Remembrance Sunday.

Quinn stays in regular contact with McClean and says that the future can still be bright for the Irish international — but only if he cuts out the controversy and focuses on his game.

“I think it can only be seen on paper as a backwards step but you know something, he’s going to play European football this year [in the Europa League], he’s going to play a lot of Championship games.

“He has the opportunity to help his club who I think are in the top three or four in that league and in a position to go back up, and I think there’s the possibility of a World Cup at the end of it.

“If he puts his head down and puts his Twitter thing away for a year and concentrates on his football, [who knows] what can happen at the end of the year? He could be back in the Premiership.

“But you know something, and I text him and stay in touch with him, you know that’s not guaranteed and he’s got some big questions to ask himself now and he’s got to deliver.”

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    Mute Shane Flynn
    Favourite Shane Flynn
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    Aug 13th 2013, 12:28 PM

    100% correct with what he’s saying I think. He needs to improve on his right side and put the head down to prove he’s got what it takes.

    13
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    Mute Eoghan Duignan
    Favourite Eoghan Duignan
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    Aug 13th 2013, 2:26 PM

    I think he’s a decent player. Has a very good engine and a high level of fitness. Maby Improve his technique a little bit but other than that he’s a good player. Hope to see him back in the premier league next season because last season he was part of a sinking ship that anybody new to that level would struggle to cope with. Coyle is a good manager and I think McLean will storm back to the form he is capable of.

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    Mute Eanna O'Connor
    Favourite Eanna O'Connor
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    Aug 13th 2013, 12:40 PM

    Not good enough for the prem league unfortunately; bit of a one trick pony, inconsistent final delivery and he lacks the required temperament to compete at the highest level. Robbie Brady and pilkington ( if he ever plays for us) are our best wingers I believe!

    9
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