Ruaidhri Higgins has joked that James McClean would have to take an '80-90% pay cut' to join Derry City.
But while the Candystripes boss would love to sign the Republic of Ireland international, he claims it is unlikely at this stage.
McClean was a Derry City star between 2008 and 2011, before carving out a solid career in England with Sunderland, Wigan, West Brom, Stoke City and now Wigan again.
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And the 34-year-old has always been linked with a return to his hometown club, to see out his playing days.
But despite persistent rumours of a move this summer, McClean last week claimed it was ‘fake news’ and Higgins is also playing down an imminent arrival.
Ahead of tonight’s second v fourth clash with Dundalk, Higgins was asked about McClean coming home this summer and quipped: “For his summer holidays?”.
Higgins explained. “Of course there would be room for him, but it might be more difficult to do than some may think.
“I haven't spoken to James. Well, I have spoken to him as I know him for a long time, I took him under my wing when he was here as a player.
“But if James wants to take a 80% wage cut or a 90% wage cut then we might think about it,” laughed the Derry boss.
Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has always hailed McClean’s fitness rates and, even at 34, the winger still has plenty to offer for club and country.
He sits on 98 caps for Ireland and will join a select band of internationals to hit the 100 mark should he feature against Greece and Gibraltar next month.
Higgins was part of Kenny’s Ireland coaching staff before leaving to take the Derry City job in April 2021, so he knows exactly what 100 caps would mean to McClean.
“When he gets to 100 caps, amazing, nobody deserves it more than him,” said Higgins. “It would be an unbelievable achievement.
“James was a really shy lad when he was younger.
“To have that drive and that personality, and to take the knocks he took over a long period of time and to come back fighting sums up the character he is.
“If James gets to 100 caps then nobody deserves it more than him as I know the work he puts in.
“He’s an amazing professional and a brilliant person, contrary to what a lot of people would think.
“He does a lot of charity work behind the scenes. Some of it has been made public but I know he does a lot of stuff that nobody hears about. He’s an amazing ambassador for our city.”
Derry City moved second in the table after Friday’s hard-fought 1-0 win away to Bohemians that saw the Gypsies surrender top spot to Shamrock Rovers.
But Higgins is still waiting to know the full extent of striker Colm Whelan’s knee injury amid growing fears of a second cruciate injury in 12 months.
Higgins added: “I’m not spinning you a load of nonsense, there’s no real clarity and there might not be for a couple of weeks.
“He has been to see the specialist again and they’re coming up with a plan. I don't know what the plan is. It's a bit inconclusive at the minute, so we just have to wait.”
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