Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Keith Treacy believes the fact that James McClean will be plying his trade in League Two this coming season will mark the "beginning of the end" for his international career.
Last Friday, it was confirmed that the Derry native and Boys in Green centurion has joined Wrexham in England's fourth tier on a one-year deal.
The Welsh club have seen their profile grow in recent times since being taken over by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
While Treacy feels its a good and exciting move for McClean on a personal level, he told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, that playing in League Two would not be necessarily beneficial to Ireland, although he expects McClean to remain part of Stephen Kenny's plans for the current qualifying campaign due to his experience and enduring impact.
"I think the level he'll be playing at is probably not good enough to get into the Irish team. I think that has to be said and I think James knows that," Treacy said.
"With James getting his 100th cap, I think that was the milestone he wanted to reach in his own head and he's done that. It's a huge achievement to become a centurion.
"So I think James has probably made peace with that and thought, 'I fancy going to Wrexham'.
"The level of football, look, it is League Two but from the outside looking in, we can all agree that it's a very exciting project with Ryan Reynolds and what they're trying to do over there.
"It's a very interesting project (but) I don't think his football is going to be accelerated because of this. I don't think it helps him in a footballing way.
"But it is what it is and sometimes when you're 34 and you're looking at your last years or so, you're not necessarily looking for the best football move.
"You're looking for something that can maybe prolong your career outside of football, something a little bit different.
"But it is a real shame because he's been a great servant for us, he's played well and he's never let us down. I don't think anyone has seen him get his 100th cap and thought he's coming towards the end.
"He's still a great athlete but playing at that level, I think there are going to be a lot of people higher up the pecking order."
Treacy pointed to Southampton's Ryan Manning as a player that could step into that left wing-back berth, while Callum O'Dowda has often fulfilled that role in recent months.
However, McClean will remain an option for the remainder of this year which will be marked by the second half of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
"In the short term, why not put him into the squad. He's great to have around. He can still do a job for us there at left-back, left wing-back, so why not," said Treacy.
"But I do think this qualifying campaign is already gone. So if James was to play in those games, I don't think anybody would have any problem.
"But in the long term, lads that are in the Championship, Premier League, on the bench in the Premier League, even League One, they've got to be knocking down Stephen Kenny's door and saying, 'I'm playing at a higher level every week, you've got to be having a look at me'.
"So in the short-term, (McClean) may reel off a couple more caps but I think this is the beginning of the end of his international career."
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