James McClean: Ireland must win by any means necessary

Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium was the seventh game without a victory under Stephen Kenny whose team have failed to score for six consecutive matches.

Once again it was an unfortunate defeat as David Brooks' close range header in the 66th minute gave Wales a fourth win of the campaign despite Ireland dominating large parts of the contest.

Ireland's last win came back in November 2019 in a 3-1 friendly win over New Zealand and while McClean insists the team haven't enjoyed the rub of the green, he's hoping that luck changes on Wednesday night at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland need to avoid defeat to ensure they're not relegated to League C and McClean insists only a win will do.

"Look, talk is cheap and I could stand here all day and hit you with every cliche going but we need to win games," said the Stoke City winger.

"Again, tonight I don't think there was a lot in the game. Apart from the England game I think that's been the case in most matches and we're just not getting the rub of the green.

"At this level you get punished. It's fine margins that decide the outcome of games and at the minute we're on the wrong side of that."

Former Derry City boss, Stephen Kenny has been criticised over the team's winless run and a lack of attacking threat, however, he's been so unfortunate with injuries, Covid-19 positive tests in the squad and now suspensions.

And while the Dubliner continues to make significant strides in putting his own stamp on the way the team plays, McClean says they now need to win at all costs.

"When you don't win games you leave yourself open to criticism. Fair enough everyone is frustrated, ourselves, the fans, everyone involved and it's up to us to knuckle down. We've another game on Wednesday and, yeah, we just need to start winning games.

"At this level if you're not ruthless and you don't take chances thyen any little mistake can cost you.

"At the minute when teams are making mistakes we're not punishing them and they're punishing us. That's been the difference in the games.

"We've got a huge game now again on Wednesday. We're at home. We have to stay positive. We have to believe we're going to win the game and by all means necessarily win the game."

McClean received the Three sponsored 'Man of the Match' award for his performance against the Welsh at the same stadium he scored that memorable winning goal to clinch a World Cup playoff spot in 2017.

He believes the team just need an extra bit of quality when they take on the Bulgarians.

"I wouldn't think you could say any of us are shirking responsibility or not putting in the work because you can see that yourself, we are.

"We just have to have that extra bit of quality at this level and at the minute we're just lacking that quality and lacking a bit of luck.

"Look, it has to change sometime so hopefully our luck changes on Wednesday night," added the Derry man.