‘It’s time to step aside’ – Former Wigan Athletic star set for emotional farewell

The 34-year-old announced last month he would retire from international football after the friendly against New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium and he is set for a rousing send-off as he wins his 103rd and final cap.

However the former winger turned wing-back, who joined League Two Wrexham this summer, insists the physical demands of the game are not behind the decision to end his 11-and-a-half-year spell in the green shirt.

“I will be honest with you, it’s not because of my body, or I feel my ability has diminished,” he said. “I still feel as fit as ever. I still believe I am the best person for the role.

“I have never doubted myself. I played 46 games out of 46 in the Championship last season, 45 of them starts.

"Ability-wise, I was second for full-backs in goals and assists, and for most successful tackles in the whole league.

“There’s other factors. I have personal reasons and my own reasons for stepping away, I feel now is the right time to step aside.

“Let others come through, I’ve had my time. For me now is the perfect time to step away. I have no regrets.”

The nation will not be at next summer’s European Championship in Germany after a disappointing qualification campaign during which the Derry-born player was used sparingly, and he admits his impending departure is tinged with sadness.

McClean said: “I feel grand. I’ve no plans to hang up the boots any time soon.

"I promised my wife and kids, because I’ve never had the summer off in a long time, that we’re going to book Florida and go away for a month, and enjoy Disneyland.

“I’ve never hid the fact that it means everything, the Ireland jersey.

"Along with the Derry City jersey, it’s the jersey that means more to me than anything else ever will.

“For the last time, I’ll pull it on. When I say it out loud, it’s a bit sad that’s going to be the case.

“I’ll do what I’ve done 102 times before, I’ll try and do it with as much pride and as much justice as possible."