Former Republic of Ireland international Shay Given has claimed that someone from the England set-up has gotten in Declan Rice’s head.
There has been much furore over the West Ham starlet’s international future, with the player having been reportedly approached to play for England despite having three noncompetitive caps for Ireland.
And Given suspects foul play by England’s World Cup boss Gareth Southgate.
“He’s a big talent and we would love him to keep playing for Ireland,” he told talkSPORT. “He’s played three games for Ireland but I think Gareth Southgate or someone from England has got into his head.
“I think once you pull on the senior jersey for your country that should be it – you’re colours nailed to the mast and you should play. But the rules are not tied down to that.”
OPINION
Who knows the truth about what’s gone on with Rice’s international future? Certainly not Given, although he’s taken a fair swipe at guessing what went on behind the scenes. To be fair to the former Newcastle shot-stopper, it’s probably reasonable to assume at this stage that England did make a bit of a play for Rice. Obviously someone had to let him know the Three Lions were interested, otherwise he would have carried on playing for Ireland and we wouldn’t have heard anything about this. So contact has clearly been made. Whether that constitutes getting into his head like Given says is probably a matter of perspective, but there is certainly a tug of war going on for the 19-year-old. It’s down to the player now to decide. He’s already played for Ireland so does he feel beholden to them, or is the lure of greater potential success with England too strong for the West Ham man to resist? Only time will tell.
