Former Ireland international James McClean has opened up about the prospect of captaining Wrexham to promotion, saying it would “hold a special place in my heart.”
The Welsh side, famously owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are on the verge of winning a historic third consecutive promotion.
They are currently second in League One, three points clear of third placed Wycombe, with five games remaining.
McClean played a big role in last season’s promotion from League Two.
And ahead of this weekend’s game against his former club Wigan, he told The Leader: “Obviously when you're given an armband it means the manager sees something in you, like leadership qualities.
“It is a privilege to be given the armband and it's not something I take for granted. I try and lead in my own way and hopefully that rubs off.
“If we go on and achieve back-to-back-to-back and create history, then to be the captain of the first team to ever do that will hold a special place in my heart.
“That would obviously be a nice thing to have when it's all said and done, when you look back on your career and think that was a lovely touch.”
Birmingham City are set to clinch top spot, while Stockport and Charlton are also battling for the second automatic spot, so McClean is taking nothing for granted.
“Nothing changes for us, it is one game at a time. That's the way it still has to be approached,” he said.
“Belief is strong and confidence is high given where we are and the run of form we've been on. But we can't rest on our laurels and we can't be complacent. We have got to go to Wigan and the full focus is to get a win.”
McClean, meanwhile, reckons Wrexham’s recent promotion successes can help drive the club in their current bid for glory.
“It helps when you've been there and done it, and you've obviously shown you can cope with the pressure,” he said.
“But we have still got a lot of big games to play and I think that's where the experience comes in because you know you can't get complacent.
“You can't just think the job is done. You have to actually go and do the job and that is the mindset, starting with Saturday.
“We have got five games left and the aim is to win them all and remove any doubt.”
McClean added: “In my career I have had the pressure of relegation and I have also had the pressure of going for promotion and I know which one I'd rather have.
“Pressure is a privilege, it means there is something expected of you and that's the mindset you have got to have.
“There's something on every game you play but there's more at stake at this time of the season.”
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