Finally, some perspective on the Rice/Mount friendship

If there has been one story to become entirely bored and irritated about over a year or so it is of the friendship between Mason Mount and Declan Rice.

It has apparently – all by itself – become a major reason why Declan – at one time anyway according to the media – was ready to quit the Irons for Chelsea and the opportunity of playing alongside his mate.

It was always a weird one – a bit like you or me wanting to work for a particular firm because we had a pal who worked for it.

So for once I was really pleased to hear Roy Keane put Ian Wright in his place when the former Arsenal striker started on about it in the England v Scotland game last night.

He declared it was a beautiful story and that you couldn’t underestimate the journey they have had to get where they are.

Keane was having none of it and snapped: “This is top level sport. I don’t know why you are worried about friendships – it’s big boy stuff.”

Well said Roy – always nice to get a bit of perspective .