Declan Rice barely raises an eyebrow that he is the Rebublic of Ireland’s next skipper in waiting.
And that will come as a surprise to most outside of West Ham where his cool and composed to life on and off the pitch has drawn regular comparison with the great ooro
The teenager is a mere three games into his senior international career but retiring stalwart John O’Shea has seen enough to tip him to wear the armband one day.
Asked about O’Shea’s comments, he said: ‘He’s been at the top of the game and played with some top, top players. To hear that from him, I don’t like to take it on too much, but it’s nice to hear. I’ve had a little joke with him.
‘Maybe one day I do see myself as a future captain because I do have it in me to tell people and order people around.’
Rice got his debut against Turkey in March, initially lining up at the back and then moving into a midfield role b before receiving rave reviews from boss Martin O’Neil
He did the reverse in the 2-0 defeat in France before playing as the holding midfielder in Saturday evening’s 2-1 victory over the United States and impressed once again.
Off the pitch he has shown equal composure in handling questions about his chairman David Gold’s remark for Manuel Pellegrini to make him a fixture in a the ENGLAND side.
Asked about that he replied: ‘It’s one of those things, he’s just come out and said it. I’m not going to take too much from it. I’m here and I’m playing for Ireland.’
