James McClean on Thursday night. (Image: Getty)
captain James McClean has issued a brutal response to fans following the clash between the two clubs on Thursday night.
The Welsh side saw their automatic promotion hopes dealt a blow with a 2-1 defeat at The Croud Meadow, thanks to a brace from John Marquis.
The surprise result also boosted Shrewsbury’s chances of staying up, although they remain in the relegation zone and five points off safety.
And the home fans made sure of a hostile night for the Dragons, with McClean and his team-mates barracked both during the game and after the final whistle.
Despite being on different sides of the border, the close proximity of the clubs has made for a long-standing rivalry. And McClean added further fuel to the fire after his side’s defeat, attempting to confront a section of the crowd before being ushered back by stewards.
He was also booked in the closing stages for dissent after complaining about not being awarded a corner. But manager Phil Parkinson later insisted he wasn’t concerned with the outburst from his midfielder.
“He’s fine,” he told Sky Sports. “James is used to it wherever he goes. Fans get on his back home and away and sometimes it can be tough and spill over but he is used to it.”
McClean argued with stewards after the match. (Image: Getty)
But on Saturday morning, McClean, 35, responded on . And he has now seemingly risked disciplinary action by insulting the community around the English club.
Posting an image of a Shrewsbury fan flicking a ‘v-sign’ at a Wrexham player on Thursday, he captioned the image with: “In fairness if I was born and raised in Shrewsbury I’d probably be this angry as well cause it’s an absolute cesspit full of inbreds.”
The former Republic of Ireland international is not new to controversy. Last November, for Remembrance Day, and has long refused to wear a poppy.
James McClean’s angry post responding to Shrewsbury fans (Image: INSTAGRAM)
Explaining his decision, he said: “The poppy represents for me an entire different meaning to what it does for others, am I offended by someone wearing a poppy? No absolutely not, what does offend me tho, is having the poppy try be forced upon me.”
McClean is one of the league’s most experienced players, having racked up 625 appearances at first-team level. He’s also appeared in the for both West Brom and Stoke.