Martin O'Neill defends James McClean's fire

Ireland boss Martin O'Neill has defended James McClean and warned not to take the aggressiveness out of him.

McClean joins up with the Republic of Ireland after Albion's match at Old Trafford on Saturday.

With two play-off legs against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the winger has the opportunity to help his country reach the European Championships in France.

Although he's been playing well for Albion recently, his performances have been overshadowed by controversy.

After celebrating in front of the Sunderland fans at the last home victory, McClean was handed a written warning from the FA.

Now we are in November there is also the annual focus on the Derryman's decision not to wear a poppy on his shirt.

Although O'Neill admitted he was going to speak to McClean about his on-field behaviour, he defended his passion on the pitch.

"As players or managers, if you're getting dogs' abuse all day long and then you react to it, you're considered to have no discipline in your body," he told the Irish Post.

"Sorry, it's almost a natural reaction.

"I saw what James did [against Sunderland]. He'd been taking some stick during the course of the game.

"Having played for Sunderland, and performed well for them for a long period of time, I assume their fans are unhappy because he refused to wear a poppy. That's something I think you have to take into consideration one way or another.

"But it was something he did, it was almost instinctive.

"There are some players who just get on with it. I must admit I have reacted myself in the past."

As long as McClean's passion does not have a detrimental impact to results on the pitch, O'Neill is happy to let him continue playing with that grit.

"You have to curtail certain things," he said. "I want James to go and settle down and not go on to the field like he did against Poland in the home match.

"That was when Roy Keane, of all people, just said to him before coming on as a substitute, 'just settle, don't do anything (stupid)'. And then 48 seconds later crushes their player.

"Those are the things that I would be speaking to James about.

"I don't think he'll have any problems with any political situations when he's playing for Ireland.

"You don't want to take some of the aggressiveness out of James. He gets hyped up for the games but is good to have around."