Wrexham’s “gentlemen’s agreement” with Wigan delayed the debut of star summer signing James McClean.
The Red Dragons signed McClean, 34, on a one-year deal last week. The winger, who has 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland, was eligible to play against his former side in the Carabao Cup first round on Tuesday night.
But McClean was not selected in the squad as the Football League new boys played to a 0-0 draw at the Racecourse Ground.
Wrexham – owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – would go on to beat the League One outfit 4-3 on penalties after Wigan’s Charlie Hughes and Thelo Aasgaard blazed their spot-kicks over the bar.
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And Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson revealed his reasoning behind leaving new arrival McClean out of the crucial tie, saying it was down to an agreement made with Wigan before signing the Irishman.
Parkinson said post-match: “He’s fit and raring to go, he could’ve played tonight but we had a gentlemen’s agreement with Wigan so we stuck to that.”
Parkinson had promised changes after his side’s defeat to MK Dons in their League Two opener, though fans were unsure over how soon McClean would make his debut. Only three players kept their places, while Wigan’s team showed four changes from the one that won 2-1 at Derby County.
McClean said last week upon joining the National League champions: “It’s a project that is very exciting and I’m looking forward to being a part of it. The club has ambitions to go even further, and I’m a very ambitious person. I’m someone who is driven and I want to be a part of that journey.”
The veteran was a popular figure at Wigan. He signed for the Latics initially in 2013, making 73 appearances for the side in the Championship over two seasons.
A three-year spell in the Premier League with West Brom was followed by three seasons at Stoke City, before returning to Wigan in 2021. McClean recorded 13 goals in all competitions over the previous two seasons, including 10 in League One in 2021/22.
