James McClean hits back at Matt Hancock's remarks

This time the Creggan man has donated Personal Protective Equipment to workers in Derry and the Ireland international has urged authorities to do more for those risking their lives.

"I was going through Facebook and saw a post asking for help," admitted McClean to Sky Sports News. "I just typed into Google to see what I could get and was fortunate to find equipment.

"It's not going to solve all the problems but hopefully it can tide them over. It begs the question if I'm able to go online why can't the authorities supply enough equipment?"

McClean purchased around 400 pairs of gloves, 100 face masks, protective visors, 10 hand sanitisers and over 100 gowns and got them shipped straight to the frontline in Derry.

The 30-year-old also felt that Matt Hancock's remarks that footballers should 'play their part'during the coronavirus crisis.

"It's ridiculous," he added. "You've got Matt Hancock saying we should take a pay cut. No one seems to like footballers," he added.

"We've got livelihoods too and people might take this the wrong way but we do work hard for our money.

"Think about what players pay towards government tax. Football is a short career and we've got to look after our families once it's over. I've seen players do great deeds from their own pocket."

Giving donations and helping people out in his home town isn't big news in the city, as McClean has and will continue to help people who are less fortunate.

"It's never been about publicity. I'm a Derry boy," he explained. "We weren't blessed with a lot of money growing up so if I see someone struggling I take the position I'm in seriously.

"I like to help people less fortunate as much as I can. I've been in a position that I've been less fortunate."

McClean, who was fined two weeks wages by Stoke City for what they called "an inappropriate social media post", after he posed for a photograph in a balaclava pretending to take his kids for a 'history lesson.' His family also received terrible vile abuse on social media for his Instagram.

"If I sat here and said I don't regret things I'd be lying but I can take a lot of abuse and can't have fun back?," he added.

"It was supposed to be a light-hearted joke but I can understand why it didn't go down well. People think I did a history lesson like that but I didn't actually do it.

"Things like 'I hope your kids get coronavirus and die' or 'It would be a laugh if your house burned down with your kids inside'.'

"There was someone online, who looked over 40, abusing my kids. Of course (it's upsetting). Footballers are a free hit. It's like it's viewed as we earn this amount of money so we should just take it.

"I've got a good family around me and a group of friends. They are the opinions that I value. Not everyone is going to like me especially if you go with the grain.

"It gets annoying when things like that (Instagram post) get all this coverage. When I breathe or look the wrong way there is an article. People get their perception from things like this."