James McClean can be Derry City's midfield 'superstar' says Tiernan Lynch
TIERNAN Lynch is confident James McClean can 'absolutely and utterly be the superstar' in Derry City's midfield this season after heavy scrutiny of his decision to play the Creggan man in the middle of the park.
Lynch's midfield conundrum has been under the microscope over the past few weeks as debate rages over McClean's suitability to play as a deep-lying, defensive midfielder.
The 36-year-old former Wrexham winger has played almost his entire career on the flanks but has so far been a mainstay in the centre of Derry's midfield.
A section of the Derry City support booed after the first loss of the season against Bohemians last Friday night and the 103-capped ex-Ireland international appeared to emerge as a scapegoat for the overall below-par display from a disjointed Derry team.
Derry boss Lynch, however, fully backs the Ireland centurion to succeed in his new central role and is confident he will continue to adapt to his unaccustomed position.
"I'm very confident that James McClean will absolutely and utterly be the superstar that he's been now for the last 15 years in England," predicted Lynch. "I think the lad is too good of a player.
"There are many factors involved: James coming home, the expectations on James' shoulders, what people might expect from James, and me playing him in a different position which I think he's more than capable of handling.
"He's a lad who is so open to improving and getting better. I think the players we have in there . . . we have options; we have Adam O'Reilly, we have 'Links' [James Olayinka], we have 'Winny' [Carl Winchester], we have James - I think it's great competition for places.
"It's a great place to be in as a manager, although Friday night can be a bit of a headache and when people knock on your door on Monday morning. That's where you want to be.
"I'm fully backing James McClean in this and I think he will get better,” added Lynch.