McClean hoping to inspire more FA Cup heroics for Wrexham

James McClean is hoping to inspire a Hollywood-style FA Cup run for Wrexham.

The League Two side, who are owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, face Blackburn tonight with a fifth-round tie against Premier League outfit Newcastle at stake.

If the Red Dragons are to upset their Championship opponents, the former Republic of Ireland international is sure to be key after an impressive start to life at the Racecourse Ground.

Ahead of the visit to Ewood Park, we turn the spotlight on the 34-year-old.

New lease of life

McClean has spent much of his career playing in the Premier League and the Championship at clubs like Sunderland, West Brom and Stoke. 

But he made the decision to join up with newly-promoted League Two side Wrexham last August after his departure from Wigan.

Since then, McClean has played a regular role at left wing-back to help Phil Parkinson's men up to second in the fourth tier.

Speaking about his spell at the Racecourse Ground so far, McClean told The Lever: "I'm having a great time. That comes from having a good dressing room. 

"When you have a good dressing room, you look forward to coming into work. It really helps.

"The biggest thing in football is winning games, there is nothing more enjoyable. When you are winning games and you are happy, it's a great place to be and long may it continue."

A shrewd addition

McClean is one of the elder statesmen in Wrexham's dressing room as they push for a second successive promotion.

He has scored two goals in 26 appearances in all competitions this season, while adding a handy four league assists from the left flank, including two in his last three outings.

After teeing up fellow veteran Steven Fletcher in a 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon earlier this month, manager Parkinson spoke of the instant impact his No23 has had in North Wales.

The 56-year-old said: "He's a very good player, I think his career tells everything you need to know. 

"But the biggest thing with James is his mentality and his desire to win and be at his best every week and that can be infectious around the group."

FA Cup history

McClean has already played his part in a remarkable FA Cup story.

The former Derry City youngster was in the Wigan squad that reached the semi-finals of the competition as a Championship side in 2013-14, dumping out Manchester City in the last eight.

A shock tonight against struggling Rovers may not quite eclipse that feat but it opens the possibility of a victory that certainly would — with Newcastle awaiting the winners in the fifth round.

Wrexham have also already outlined their ability to cause an upset, having reached the fourth round last term after beating Coventry before forcing Sheffield United — sat second in the Championship at the time — into a replay.

What is more, Parkinson also has an FA Cup giant-killing on his CV — after leading Bradford to an unlikely win over Chelsea in 2015 — while the Red Dragons also dumped out Shrewsbury of League One in round three this term.

With a handful of stars with bags of experience and an expected 7,000 travelling supporters cheering them on, Wrexham may just have it in them to reach the fifth round for the first time since 1997.