Wigan midfielder James McClean believes future is bright for Republic of Ireland

James McClean has expressed his excitement at the prospect of a new generation of Republic of Ireland players taking the national team to greater heights.

At the age 33, McClean hopes to win his 94th senior cap against Ukraine in the Polish city of Lodz on Tuesday evening, although it is the younger members of the squad in whose hands the future lies.

Asked how excited he was by what he has seen from the likes of Gavin Bazunu, Caoimhin Kelleher, Nathan Collins, Andrew Omobamidele, Jayson Molumby, Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Michael Obafemi, McClean said: “It’s very exciting.

“Obviously they are showing the ability and potential that they have. The more experience you get at this level, the more their ability will be enhanced.

“I think the future is bright, which is obviously a nice thing, and I think you saw it last Saturday – Nathan Collins at the back, the shift Jay Molumby put in in the middle of the park, and if you look at the second and third goals, you can see what Troy and Michael can do.

“It is obviously very pleasing. It is just nice to be here and see that day in day out and see potentially what they could go on to be.”

Those performances came in Saturday’s 3-0 Nations League win over Scotland in Dublin, a result which finally ended Ireland’s wait for a first victory in the competition but more, provided vindication of manager Stephen Kenny’s drive to promote from the Under-21s ranks.

I think the chef will get it (the captain's armband) before I get it!- James McClean

However, it was achieved in part courtesy of the energy and dead-ball delivery of McClean, a relative veteran who turned in an eye-catching display on his return to the starting line-up.

Asked if his presence at the pre-match press conference at