Midfielder James McClean has received death threats after being included in Ireland’s squad for the 2012 European Championship.
The 23-year-old, a rising star withEnglish Premier League side Sunderland, played at Under-21 level for his native Northern Ireland, a British controlled province, but took the controversial decision to “cross the border” and pursue asenior international career with the independent Republic.
“Absolutely honoured and couldn’t be happier to have been called up to represent my country at the Euros. No better feeling,”McClean wrote on his Twitter site after the selection.
McClean responded to the death threats by tweeting: “Love the dogs’ abuse am gettin off shock N.I fans, just worry about watchin urown country at the euros… oh wait #mybad #awkward haha.” It appeared McClean later closed his Twitter account on Tuesday.