Stephen Kenny: James McClean to League Two move 'not ideal' for Ireland in the long-term

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has admitted that James McClean's move to League Two is "not ideal" when it comes to his international prospects in the longer-term.

Earlier in August, the Republic of Ireland centurion joined Wrexham, who were promoted to the English fourth tier for this season.

The Welsh club has seen its profile grow in recent times since being taken over by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

While the move is an exciting one for McClean on a personal level, former Republic of Ireland international Keith Treacy had told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast that playing at League Two level was "probably not good enough to get into the Irish team" in the longer-term.

McClean has been included in Kenny's squad for next week's Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and the Netherlands having recovered in time from injury.

The Ireland manager said the Derry native did keep him abreast of his plans for life after Wigan before making the Wrexham move.

"In the long-term it's not ideal," Kenny said of the fact that the 34-year-old will be plying his trade on the lowest rung of the Football League pyramid.

"He did speak to me. He said in his club situation (that) he was in a predicament and he needed to move and this is what he had accepted.

"In the long-term it's not ideal"

Stephen Kenny discusses James McClean playing League Two football this season after signing for Wrexham #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/vbDah4Jerz

"Ultimately, he got Man of the Match, albeit against Gibraltar, in the last game so he had performed well in the last window and he was going to be playing.

"Whether he was going to be playing three or four games in League One or three or four games in League Two, I didn't think was a significant difference