Martin O’Neill has revealed that Declan Rice is still mulling over his international future and that England had contacted the young Hammer.
And Kevin Kilbane – who played with Ireland between 1997 and 2011 – decided it would be a good idea to criticise the 19 pear old on social network Twitter.
In an unbelievably OTT outburst the former Everton and Sunderland player snarled that he’d sooner never see his country qualify for a major tournament than for Rice to play for Ireland.
He said: “I’d rather be ranked 150th in the world and never qualify again than have someone who has played, but needs time to think whether they should play for us again.”
It’s not the first time the rather excitable Kilbane has over reacted and appears to be suggesting that people can’t have a change of heart.
He went on to claim that Dec may be changing his mind because there is a financial advantage in paying for England saying: “I knew at 10 yrs old. Emotions will never come into a players thoughts and professional sport (primarily football) simply is just all about the money.”
Kilbane’s decied to gob off dollowing Martin O’Neill’s announcement of Ireland’s 31-man squad for September’s friendly tie with Poland and Nations League opener with Wales.
At a press conference O’Neill said rather more cooly: “He’s still deliberating. He’s a young man. England have spoken to him and we’re aware of that.
“The England manager has seen the games he played for us and may have thought ‘Oh God.”
The reality is that Rice is more likely to be able to play in major international tournaments with England than Ireland; no offence to our Irish friends.
The lads still growing facial hair give him a break, your allowed to change your mind if its within the rules of the game, so weather he wears a green or white shirt theres always going to be sour grapes, some people forget that this is a personal decision so good luck with it Declan, just let your football do your talking
I would encourage him to stick with Ireland he will be a first team regular with Ireland unlike with England. He has a lot of potential but why increase the pressure by putting an England label on his back at the same time alienating himself from the team and country that he has chosen up until this point ?
Pretty obvious what’s going on here. It’s all about his agent trying to bump up his value and get him a bigger and better contract.
Kilbane’s view is understandable. Rice himself stated that England have shown no interest in him, at any level, until he was already an Irish full international.
He has kissed the badge, sung the national anthem (which is in Irish) and played 3 full (albeit friendly) international caps that took a place from someone else who would have loved the opportunity to play for their country.
So to now decide that he is unsure is obviously his agent turning his head yet again. However, this rule needs to be changed that you can play friendlies/u21 tournaments and then change alliegence whenever the better deal is on hand. It’s disrespectful to both England and Ireland and my fear would be he is a one cap wonder, or will not be welcomed back into the Irish setup if he chooses that.
You can’t simply blame the agent, doesn’t Rice have a brain and values of his own?
I think you can – they are paid to make careers as profitable as possible and England has an edge on Ireland in that area.
They can’t do anything unless the player agrees.