"Wait till we draw England." The words of a young Declan Rice in 2015.
Now that day has finally come. Except Rice is no longer part of the ‘we’ but now with England and heading back to Dublin. There were a few more unsavoury comments with those words on social media back then but the now Arsenal midfielder has since apologised so we will leave them in the past where they belong.
But what still stings for - some - Irish people is his comments after he made his debut for the Boys in Green back in 2018. Rice, now 25, sang the national anthem before a friendly against Turkey and afterwards he explained his emotion for his grandparents, who had passed away, but were the reason he could don the green jersey.
READ MORE: Meet the stunning Republic of Ireland WAGs hoping England get battered in Nations League
READ MORE: England's new boss Lee Carsley to skip national anthem ahead of Ireland clash
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Two more friendly internationals followed before Rice’s performances in the Premier League with West Ham started getting much more attention and Gareth Southgate came calling. The ‘proud’ talk about playing for Ireland disappeared. Now he sings God Save the King and is a star man for England.
Now it must be said that some Irish supporters believe the issue should just be forgotten about. There is a validity to that argument. They rightly point out that when you listen to Rice talk he is as Irish as a drunk tourist in a novelty Guinness hat in Temple Bar on St Patrick’s Day. Plastic.
He was born and raised in England and, most probably, supported Frank Lampard in a Three Lions shirt rather than Roy Keane in an Irish one. They also - quite rightly - reckon Ireland and the FAI should be focusing on finding their own talent rather than overusing the ‘granny rule’ which helped the Emerald Isle punch above its weight in the late 1980s and 1990s under Jack Charlton.
What do you make of England boss Lee Carsley's decision to not sing the national anthem against the Republic of Ireland? Let us know in the comments section below.
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That’s fine but some others also believe that Rice should have never taken those three caps at senior level if he didn’t really want to play for Ireland. No doubt it was pointed out to him that not only is there a chance of success in tournaments with England, the sponsorships which come with playing for them are much greater.
But what he should have done is follow in Jack Grealish’s footsteps and said no to senior caps while he decided where his international future lay, instead of taking them in place of someone who would cherish them. Grealish has already faced Ireland before but on English soil. Both will be booed heavily at the Aviva Stadium today in the first competitive meeting between the nations since 1992.
But the Manchester City man handled the situation correctly, Rice did not. If it had played out differently both would be in the home dressing room this evening. The fact Rice has already been in there when he played at the Aviva against the USA is what leaves a sour taste for some.
Profit and sustainability rules are not fit for purpose
So Chelsea are selling hotels to balance their books and help them sign the likes of Jadon Sancho. While also flogging academy products to allow room for Joao Felix etc.
It really is etc. when it comes to Chelsea given how many they sign. Is that what the Profit and Sustainability rules were brought in for?
Did the great minds that came up with the legal framework for them think this would really help the game? Wouldn’t a salary cap just be easier? Or if they really want a level playing field then a limit on spending in the transfer window across the board? Football is now won on the grass and in the accountancy books.
Ryan Gravenberch. Trusted with a new role by a new manager at Liverpool and taken his chance.
OFFSIDEAston Villa charging a minimum of £70 for Champions League tickets to see John McGinn and Co. Scandalous.
