England boss Gareth Southgate has called for fans to forgive and forget Declan Rice’s juvenile remarks about the IRA

The Hammers star has apologised after making seemingly support of the IRA as kid of about 15 and Southgate has called for tolerance and understanding.

Making many of the points already voiced about his youth and naivety, the England manager made a strong case for the English public to give him a break should he appear for the international team tomorrow night (Fri).

It’s hard to disagree with such thoughts given Declan’s age at the time although there will always be those who wade into the scenario without doing so.

If they feel strongly enough about it ok but as we said in an earlier piece if we are all to be judged on some of the nonsense we came out with as teenagers then it’s a pretty sad old world.

And for it to appear on the eve of a highly gifted young player possibly making his first appearance for his now chosen country is particularly mean minded.

The England manager explained the situation will make no difference to whether Dec plays or not tomorrow.

He said: “I think people will recognise their own experiences at 15, 16 and that they’re not mature [at that age].

“We’ve got some 19 and 20 year olds. They’re not the finished person. None of us are but you’ve got a lot more to learn about life at those ages than you have when you get to our age, or my age.”

Asked how he would deal with Rice, the Three Lions boss said:  “Firstly [I’ll make sure] that he’s OK and that he’s supported.

“I understand t’s not a situation that should just be dismissed but equally the context, the period of time that’s passed and his age at the time is all relevant in how we should deal with it.

“I don’t know how far back players would look. That is the perils of social media for any of us with kids. You just don’t know what that interaction might be.

“When they’re socialising with friends, you’re a bit braver in some of your comments or a bit less thoughtful in some of your comments, so I think for all young people that is a danger.

“There are so many positive things about social media, but, as we know, there are lots of negatives.”