Rep of Ireland v Oman: Trap makes example of McClean

James McClean will be regretting going public with his gripe

As Republic of Ireland line up for their friendly at Craven Cottage, winger James McClean's tweeting antics ensure that he will only warm the bench again...

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has warned young Sunderland winger James McClean that he is lucky to still be in the squad ahead of their friendly game with Oman in London.

McClean chose to launch a foul-mouthed tirade on the social networking site aimed at the Italian after being left on the bench for the full 90 minutes in their opening qualifier in Kazakhstan.

The 23-year-old has since been dragged in front of the squad by Trapattoni to apologise to both the manager and his team-mates and has consequently been left out of the starting line-up at Craven Cottage.

Kevin Doyle, who grabbed the winner on Friday night, will start against recent draw specialists Oman, whose last three matches, and four of the last five, have finished level.

Oman's opponents have been no slouches either, taking in Japan, Australia and most recently Egypt in that sequence, and you can get the draw tonight at a plump 4.77/2.

Under the circumstances, it's hard to sympathise when a player shows this kind of public petulance as it does appear short-sighted in the extreme.

In terms of a pure footballing argument though, it's easy to see why the young player was so frustrated at his lack of opportunity when, with all due respect, a Championship
striker was played out of position ahead of him.

McClean is a precocious talent, as he proved by bursting on to the scene in the Premier League last season with some eye-catching performances, grabbing six goals in 29 appearances for Sunderland, after signing from Derry City.

The natural left-footer has pace to burn too and Sunderland's young player of the season from last term has already started the opening two games of this campaign for the Black Cats, and scored twice in a 2-0 Capital One Cup win over Morecambe.

However, it appears that Trapattoni does not value him as highly as club manager Martin O'Neill and this looks like continuing to be a source of frustration for the player unless he can seriously change the wily Italian's feelings.

Easier said than done, one suspects.

Sunderland are 3.412/5 to get their first league win of the season at the Stadium of Light against Liverpool on Saturday.