Tweet nothings. O’Neill tells McClean to get off Twitter

When Martin O’Neill says something, his players tend to listen. As a result, you shouldn’t expect to see too much of James McClean on Twitter from now on.

The Sunderland boss has issued a stark warning to the newly capped Irish international about his habits on the social networking site, for McClean has courted controversy for his repeated commitment to the Republic of Ireland cause and his responses to the often spiteful criticism from Northern Ireland supporters still bearing resentment over his decision to switch to the Boys in Green.

Judging from quotes in the Sunday Times this morning, O’Neill is no fan of Twitter – in fact he seems to openly despise it – and although he has not yet spoken to McClean about his Twitter habits, he says he will do very soon.

“Get himself off Twitter, that would be my advice to him (McClean),” O’Neill said.

“I just don’t see the point of it. If you want to speak to your friends, just phone them. And of course Twitter is in the public domain some of our boys don’t realise that.

“They won’t know that they are twittering somebody in New Zealand and it has become public knowledge. James wouldn’t know that, but he might do now. I haven’t told him yet, I will do.

Warning McClean about the perils of Twitter seems fair enough – there have been numerous sportspeople who have gotten themselves into trouble for what they have posted on the site – but the extent of O’Neill’s hatred for the site borders on the vitriolic, as is evident in his referencing of Stephen Fry and his warning to McClean to “get himself a proper life”.

“The Twitter thing has really grown arms and legs. It is kind of crazy I must admit,” O’Neill added.

“I am probably really acting my age now, but I really do not see the point of Twitter. I have no idea. Can you believe Stephen Fry Twitters? That is just unbelievable, a man of his intelligence running around saying ‘I had bacon today’. So if James if Twittering he wants to get himself a proper life, he really does.”

McClean obviously hasn’t got the memo from O’Neill yet, however, as he posted the following tweet at 9:19 am this morning, less than three hours before kick-off in the much anticipated clash with Newcastle at St. James’ Park.

Will it be his last tweet? It will if Martin O’Neill has anything to do with it.