James McClean requests to wear number 5 jersey against Wales in honour of Ryan McBride

Fair play, James McClean.

Ireland international James McClean has requested to wear the number 5 jersey in the World Cup qualifier against Wales on Friday night in honour of Derry City captain Ryan McBride. News of McBride’s tragic death at the age of 27 shocked the footballing community when it emerged on Sunday night. McClean, a former teammate of McBride’s at Derry City, paid a moving tribute to McBride on Instagram on Monday, calling him “a big gentleman off the field”. https://www.instagram.com/p/BR1s73Hgu_E/ According to RTÉ’s Tony O’Donoghue, McClean has asked that, if selected for the big game against Wales, he can wear the number five jersey in memory of his friend. https://twitter.com/RTEsoccer/status/844263344848592896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Fair play to McClean for such a moving gesture; it would be great to see it at the Aviva on Friday night.