West Brom winger James McClean provokes anger with Martin McGuinness 'hero' tribute

The Republic of Ireland international posted a picture of himself arm in arm with the former IRA commander on Instagram with a tribute following Mr McGuinness' death.

He praised the 66-year-old as a 'friend' who had done 'so much for Irish People' and revealed the ex-Sinn Féin leader would send him text messages wishing him luck before games.

But Des Davies, whose 19-year-old son Robert was killed at Lichfield City railway station after he and two other off-duty soldiers came under fire by Republican paramilitaries in June 1990, described the remarks as 'sick'.

The 69-year-old of Pontarddulais, near Swansea, said: "I think he must be off his head. It is sick.

"To make comments like these and the fact that he is his plying his trade in the Midlands and and earning his money there is beyond belief.

"The people of Lichfield have always been brilliant to us and kept in touch.

"I think it is disrespectful to make these comments when so many people from Birmingham and Lichfield – people who have had loved-ones killed by the IRA – are West Bromwich Albion supporters.

"Personally I hope Martin McGuinness rots in hell. I am also disgusted at the Labour Party and the likes of Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell describing him as a great man.

"I have been a Labour man all my life but not again.

"It is disgraceful that Martin McGuinness is being praised while we have our own soldiers who could still face prosecution for Northern Ireland.

"He has stopped so many people from getting the truth and justice."

Private Robert Davies, of the Royal Regiment of Wales, had been training at Whittington Barracks and was awaiting a train to Birmingham to return home to Wales.

There is a plaque and walkway at the station commemorating his life.

No-one was ever brought to justice and attempts to extradite the suspects to Britain were abandoned following the peace process.

Paying tribute to McGuinness online, Derry-born McClean wrote: "Writing this with a heavy heart, bad week just getting worse, woke to the passing off Martin just now, am not going to shy away in expressing either how I feel, not only was he a hero of mine, someone I looked up to, a man that has done so much for Irish people and Irish people's freedom right to the very end.

"He was also a good friend and someone I had the pleasure of having a good relationship with, a man I met so many times, had the privilege to share many a great conversation with, a man that always text me before games wishing me luck, a man that through the well documented tough times off the field always let me know how brave I was standing by my beliefs, that I never was alone because I had his support and backing always.

"You will be sorely missed Martin, a great leader, a great hero and above all a great man. Thinking on all your loved ones."

West Bromwich Albion declined to comment on McClean's remarks.

The 27-year-old has previously courted controversy by refusing to wear a playing shirt with the Poppy, and for turning his back on the England flag while the national anthem was playing on a tour to the US with Albion.

And yesterday a picture emerged of him signing a book of condolence in memory of the ex-Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister on Twitter while on duty with his national team.

McGuinness had been suffering from a rare heart condition. His funeral will take place in Derry today (Thursday).

The former IRA leader turned peacemaker worked at the heart of the power-sharing government following the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

But many in Britain cannot forgive him for his leading role in the IRA which saw thousands killed and injured in terror attacks.

Twenty-one people were killed in the Birmingham pub bombings in 1974 and two months after the Lichfield attack the former governor of Gibraltar, Sir Peter Terry and his wife Betty, were shot at their home in Milford near Cannock Chase but survived.

His remarks prompted anger amongst Express & Star readers and football fans.

Commenting on the Express & Star website, BaggiesMark1968 said: "We need this guy OUT of our club now, no messing just get shut of him."

Heath Hayes Baggie added: "So McGuinness texts McClean to wish him luck before a game. Pity he didn't text all the unfortunate people he blew to give them a chance to escape up before he detonated his bombs

Burnley Baggie said: "The guy is a PR disaster. James gives his all on the pitch and does some wonderful things to deserving people but ultimately we cannot be seen to support a man with his political views."