JOHN Kear believes former Bull Steve McNamara has earned his “day in the sun” at Wembley this afternoon.

The ex-Odsal player and head coach aims to lead Catalans Dragons to their first piece of major silverware by winning the Challenge Cup final.

The clash with Warrington, who knocked out the Bulls 54-6 in the fifth round, will be McNamara’s first as a coach – he was in the Bradford side beaten 32-22 by St Helens at Wembley in 1997.

And it comes after he survived calls to be sacked after a nightmare opening to the season.

Having scraped survival last year in the Million Pound Game, Catalans won only one of their first eight games to pile the pressure on McNamara.

But he has overseen a Dragons revival and is now on the verge of writing his name in club history.

Kear, who will be a TV pundit at the game, said: “I’ll eat my hat if anybody can be in sport and just have an enjoyable, pleasant and relaxed time. It just isn’t like that.

“At some stage, every professional sportsperson will have to do it tough. Credit to Steve because he’s done his tough period and he’s now got his place in the sun. He has certainly earned it.

“You get tough times and good times. You have to graft your way through the tough days and make the most of the good ones.”

Catalans are appearing in their second final. They were beaten by St Helens in 2007 – a year after being formed in Super League.

Kear has no sympathy for those in the game complaining that it won’t be a full house at Wembley because of a French team being in it.

The Bulls coach said: “It’s one thing that amazes me about rugby league. They admit a team and then they say, if they get to the final they won’t fill Wembley. Well if you feel like that, don’t let them in.

“If you welcome them in, there’s a strong possibility they will get to a Challenge Cup final or the Grand Final.It’s the same with Toronto and they may well do that.

“If they do, don’t start moaning and groaning once that happens. I think there are loads of benefits from Catalans being in Super League.

“It makes it a European game and is certainly good for French rugby league in the south of France.

They are well supported on their own ground, although I know they’re not away. But they get brilliant crowds over there so it’s a success.

“I wish them well, but I honestly think that Warrington will win. I hope they do because we can then say we were beaten by the winners.”