So far we’ve had Graeme Souness, Dean Saunders, Jamie Redknapp, Andy Townsend and now Micky Quinn giving us their opinions on Declan Rice’s decision to play for England.
And by far the most objectionable is the former ‘fat boy’ who represented Wigan, Stockpor,t Oldham, Portsmouth, Newcastle and Coventry
That’s the same Mick Quinn who was banned for three years as a racehorse trainer after it was discovered he neglected the horses in his charge.
Among the stuff he had to say on Drivetime on talkSPORT was “Would the money have come into it as well,” “No disrespect, advertising, playing for England. Would you get more money playing for England than playing for Ireland?
No disrespect?
He added: “Listen, I am just being cold and calculated – It’s modern day football. Where there are a lot of greedy footballers. Well, he was [a short of a bob or two] before he signed that five-year contract. “
Now, I have no issue with anyone saying anything about anything IF they have some sort of evidence to back their half allegations otherwise you are teetering towards highly prejudiced and unfair statements.
And when it comes to enjoying the benefits money can bring Quinn and all the others -Redknapp excepted – might like to bear in mind they are giving their views for exactly the same reasons.
So that’s five who have given their views and one wonders how many more will have trotted out their various lines once the Sunday papers have given their views.
I believe first and foremost Declan has chosen England for his own professional reasons, just as he did West Ham. Yes, we are not naive enough to believe that cash incentives were not involved at some point.
But the fact is that by and large those offering their views are guilty, or have been at some stage, of employing exactly the same motives.
And to hear them slagging off a fine young player who wants to make his way in the game based on his own decisions is pretty sad particularly given that mist of them are well into their 40s 50s and 60s…and still looking for a proper job!
Perhaps when discussing cash they should look to their own motives for making their remarks which to us smack of hypocrisy.
Declan was talented enough to play for Ireland,albeit non competitive matches,when he was very young and naive.He has spent a long time agonising over who he should play for and ,in the,end,decided to play for the country of his birth..He is to be respected for not rushing into a decision immediately.What would our pundits have to say about the great Alfredo Di Stefano who actually played for 3 different nations?
It just highlights the rediculous rule that allows a young Englishman born in England, living in England, playing professionally in an English League for an English club to be poached by another nation just because three generations ago his grandfather moved to England from Ireland. It’s about time this antiquated rule was scrapped. It stops young Irishman, and I mean proper Irishman born in Ireland, from playing for their country. The rule should be simple, if your Irish, you can play for Ireland, if your English, you can play for England.
I think we naturally feel defensive of Declan, as he’s a West Ham player. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and if they need to scrape a living by being paid to give it, then good for them. It won’t matter a jot to Declan, and it shouldn’t matter to us. Just laugh it off and move on.
I agree with all of the above comments rather then duplicate them , would like to add one day our Declan will be lifting the World Cup as captain of England proving ambition was first and foremost on his mind I hope these pundits are around to witness the event …
Good article. Yes to all of that. Especially the references to hypocrisy.
Perhaps Quinn, Souness et al would like to comment on the eligibility rules for international Rugby Union or Cricket. I’m sure we’d all be interested in their views.
Declan Rice is already better than some already filling an England shirt (eg Henderson. Dier). Straight in the team for me. He has made his decision and has done nothing wrong. Good for him. Good for the Hammers. Good for England.