Before he had even kicked a ball in the League of Ireland this season, Roddy Collins was already keen to write James McClean off after his return to Derry City.

Collins would label McClean as ‘the worst signing in the club’s history‘ on the Sons of Dave podcasct in February, believing that his influence in the dressing room would prove detrimental. He also questioned whether the 37-year old had enough left in the tank to make an impact on the pitch.

His opinion has not swayed during the intervening months. In fact, the former League of Ireland winner would take to social media this weekend to say that he has been proven right up to this point in McClean’s tenure at the club.

As I said from the very beginning, the worst signing Derry City have ever made. I hate to say I told you so, but it’s looking that way now.

Unsurprisingly, those comments have not gone unnoticed in Derry.

James McClean responds to Roddy Collins Derry criticism

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James McClean is not afraid to air his opinions in a public forum, meaning he was always likely to respond to the latest comments from Roddy Collins.

Speaking on Tik Tok, he provided a harsh takedown of Collins’ achievements as both a manager and player, as well of those of his son.

I’ve seen recently that I got called the worst signing in Derry City’s history by a manager who absolutely stunk the place out there.

Playing wise, not a lot to speak about. As a manager, his biggest achievement in the game was getting to the Football League Trophy final with Carlisle and lost.

The Football League Trophy by the way, any self-respecting footballer in England will tell you it’s a trophy you don’t really want on your CV. You’re kind of hoping that you’re rested and not involved. It’s not a good one.

The same manager by the way signed his son at Derry. His son was a right back, right-footed, but had two left feet. So I really must be bad if I’m ranked above them two in Derry’s worst ever signings…

Fraudy and Fraudy junior seem to be an embarrassment to them.

James McClean’s Derry return proving difficult

Roddy Collins had an ill-fated spell in charge of Derry City in the mid 2010s, lasting just a few months during the 2014 season. He signed his son Roddy Collins Jr at the club, who also left the club around the same time as his father’s departure.

James McClean’s return to Derry City has not proven to be a fruitful one up to this point. He has struggled with injuries, also seeming to publicly question manager Tiernan Lynch after the club’s exit from Europe earlier this week.

Still, he’s clearly not having the criticism directed at him from certain quarters.