James McClean was 'bound to see red'

The former midfielder is now managing Rushall Olympic, who play a Baggies team in the Birmingham Senior Cup tonight.

And the Dutchman reckons McClean's red card was inevitable because of the way he plays.

He said: "When you've got players who play on the edge, you know at some stage these sorts of things will happen.

"He's a player who gives it everything he's got. A couple of weeks ago there was another challenge where he was lucky not to get sent off."

McClean has picked up 23 yellow cards and three red cards in the last two-and-a-half seasons.

Sneekes called the Republic of Ireland international's foul on Adam Smith "very dangerous" and reckons his poor disciplinary record is a by-product of his game.

He said: "Over the last couple of weeks, he's really improved and established himself. He's one of the driving forces for the results that they've had.

"Now he'll have to miss three games and maybe lose his place in the team and work his way through the bench to get back into the starting line up."

The Baggies will take a young team to Dales Lane tonight made up of under-21 and under-18 players.

The Pics ply their trade in the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League, where they currently sit 11th.

On Saturday they lost 3-2 to Salford City, the team owned by Manchester United's 'Class of 92', Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.

Sneekes made more than 230 appearances for Albion between 1996-2001, scoring 32 goals in the process.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to pit myself against my old team," said Sneekes.

"It's probably the biggest cup out of all the cups that we play with the clubs that are involved in it.

"It's something that we take highly seriously. It's even better when you go and play against a professional side that train every day and have ambitions to play in the first team."