Former Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino is seemingly in awe of Declan Rice despite him having chosen to represent England.
The former Aston Villa and Chelsea striker has been incredibly impressed – like everybody else – with the 20 year old’ development in the game.
Not surprising but interesting that he fails to mention the change of international allegiance which has been such a bone of contention with so many.
Rice is widely expected to get his first international cap against the Czech Republic tomorrow (Fri) and it already seems certain that the brilliant defensive midfielder is destined for a long career at the highest level. 102
What has made his rise even more incredible is that he has been recognised until this season as essentially a central defender who could ‘do a job’ in front of the back four.
That he is now seen as one of the best in the country shows his amazing ability to learn seriously quickly and is now in a position where he can justifiably feel enormously proud of himself.
And Cascarino has been effusive in his praise of the young man saying: “He looks like a veteran of 300 league appearances.”
He told the Times. “He is so composed, a master of simplicity who sits in front of the back four and refuses to give the ball away. He’s better than Eric Dier, who does a similar job for Tottenham.
“He reminds me of Paul McGrath, my old Ireland team-mate, in that he makes playing in both positions look so easy.
Declan never gets flustered, even in the big games. He is a young guy showing incredible maturity, who will be as good as he wants to be, because I don’t see flaws in his character.”
I think perhaps the reason Cascarino doesn’t mention the word ‘eligibility’ is that he played for Ireland when he wasn’t eligible. Even more to the point he carried on playing for them after he found out he wasn’t eligible & told nobody. I am not blaming him or criticising him, but that is a bit more of a moral dilemma than the one that Rice faced & took so much stick for from a number of prominent ex players. Rice played it all by the rules that were laid down for him by the authorities.