McClean defends not wearing a poppy

The Stoke midfielder decided not to wear a poppy during Remembrance Day commemorations due to his Irish-Catholic background, and once again received a strong reaction from supporters. 

Stoke drew 0-0 with Middlesbrough on Saturday, with McCLean clashing with both sets of supporters. 

Taking to Instagram after the match, he quoted Irish activist Bobby Sands with the words: "They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."

He then went on to add: "Your abuse, your throwing things, your booing, do your worst.. to the home fans that are actually educated and support me, thank yous [sic].

"To the section of uneducated cavemen in left hand corner of the boothen end stand that want to song their anti irish song each game and call me a fenian this and that.. i am a PROUD FENIAN no **** will ever change that, so sing away.'