Shane Keegan believes James McClean is unlikely to be overly concerned about his legacy at Derry City as the club attempts to bring an end to the current stand-off with the veteran midfielder.
Speaking to BAR 1 Betting, Keegan suggested McClean is unlikely to be influenced by public opinion, while also arguing that Derry face a difficult task if they want to terminate the player’s contract.
“The majority of people on this earth are concerned with what people think of them, I’m not sure James is,” Keegan said.
“I’m not sure James really cares what anyone thinks of him.
“I’m not sure he really gives a shit about his legacy in Derry.”
Keegan said he understands why Derry City are keen to draw a line under the situation, but believes doing so is far from straightforward while McClean remains under contract.
“I get what Derry are trying to do, they want to draw a line here,” he said. “In reality, that’s very hard to do.
“I’ve had players in my dressing room, it’s very hard to cut ties with a player, they have a written contract, the amount of valid reasons to tear up their contract are slim to none.
“The player really does hold all the power in these situations.”
Keegan also questioned whether Derry’s position regarding McClean’s ability to fulfil his contract will give the club much leverage, pointing out that the responsibility for assessing a player’s physical condition ultimately lies with the club.
“There’s a reason physicals (medicals) exist,” he said.
“The onus is on the club to discover whether the player has the physical capacity or not to be able to carry out his contract, it’s not on the player.”
With Derry seemingly keen to move on from McClean, Keegan believes the club could ultimately have to negotiate a financial settlement rather than simply terminate the midfielder’s contract.
“I think there will be a termination of contract but I think that will involve a substantial pay-off,” he said.
“I’m not sure how much of a standing that line they’re currently spinning will provide the club with.”
Keegan also suggested that attempting to apply conventional logic to McClean’s situation may not work, given the midfielder’s personality and his willingness to go against the expected approach.
“You’re applying logic to a man who hasn’t been overly logical in his life,” Keegan said.
“Doing what normal people would do hasn’t tended to be the way James McClean has gone about life in general.”
Ultimately, Keegan believes the balance of power currently rests firmly with McClean, with Derry’s desire to end the relationship potentially leaving them facing a significant financial bill.
“James holds the vast majority of the power here, the club desperately want him out and that will require them stumping up a fair whack of money.”
