'Issue somewhere' at Derry City - McClean

James McClean was not included in Derry City's matchday squad against Rijeka on Thursday night [Getty Images] James McClean has said Derry City's European form is not the result of a "lack of effort" but instead shows an "issue somewhere" within the club. The former Republic of Ireland and Sunderland midfielder returned to his hometown club from Wrexham in January but neither his nor the Candystripes' season has lived up to expectation with the 37-year-old voicing his dissatisfaction last month. After finishing second in the League of Ireland last year, Tiernan Lynch's side are languishing in sixth this time around and exited the Uefa Conference League in the second qualifying round on Thursday night after a pair of 1-0 defeats by Croatian side Rijeka in their two-legged tie. That followed a 5-3 aggregate loss to CSKA Sofia in the first qualifying round of the Europa League and Lynch called for his side to be "a little bit braver" in such games. McClean, who was not included in the squad on Thursday night, does not feel blame is with the players. "If you watch the games, the lads aren't losing these games based on lack of effort. So clearly there is an issue somewhere," McClean posted on his Instagram account. "Given [I] am around it every day and have the CV to give my opinion, I think I'll give it whether anyone likes it or not. "If you don't like it, then you'll excuse me for not caring about your opinion, given that 99.9% that have a lot to say have never played a professional game in their lives." Lacklustre Derry City exit Europe after Rijeka defeat 'Stay classy' - McClean jeered on Derry return Lynch is in his second season in charge at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium after twice winning the Irish Premiership with Larne. They sit 21 points behind league leaders Shamrock Rovers with McClean believing their European performances do not compare favourably with Stephen Bradley's side, League of Ireland rivals Bohemians and Shelbourne, or Lynch's former side Larne. "Rovers, Bohs, Shels, Larne have all progressed through ties in Europe this year. We played four, lost four. "And sorry, it needs to be said, we have every much as good, if not better, a squad on paper [as those clubs]." Derry City are next in action on Sunday when they travel to St. Patrick's Athletic (17:00 BST).