Stoke City winger James McClean insists that his recent Instagram post that brought a club fine was not intended to cause offence.

The Ireland international shared a picture of himself wearing a balaclava when talking to his two kids and joked that he was giving them a history lesson, with many seeing that as a reference to the IRA.

As a result, McClean was handed a two-week fine by the Potters and he also agreed to delete his Instagram account.

And, speaking to Sky Sports, the 30-year-old insisted that it was meant to be light-hearted, although he did hint that it may be something he wishes he hadn't done.

"If I sat here and said I don't regret things I'd be lying but I can take a lot of abuse and can't have fun back?

"It was supposed to be light-hearted joke but I can understand why it didn't go down well. People think I did a history lesson like that but I didn't actually do it."

The former Sunderland man has thrived for Stoke since Michael O'Neill was appointed as the new boss in November.

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The verdict

McClean isn't a young kid anymore so he really should have known better when he posted that on Instagram as it was always going to get him into trouble.

But, he says that he didn't mean to cause offence and he has been punished financially for the mistake, something he has accepted.

So, it's a case of moving on now and like all footballers, the Stoke man will surely be desperate for the season to resume so he can get back out on the pitch.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.