If Rice opts for the English I’ll abide by that
MARTIN O’NEILL believes Declan Rice will settle his international future by the end of the year – and he will accept the decision either way.
The West Ham star, 19, has played three friendlies for Ireland but has been mulling over an invitation to join Gareth Southgate’s England revolution.
O’neill (below), who hit back at critics who said he should have tied the youngster to Ireland by playing him in a World Cup game, remains hopeful ahead of Rice’s decision. He is also sceptical of reports Rice met Southgate for a second time recently and that the teenager was swayed by a statistical presentation of where he would fit into the Three Lions’ set-up.
O’neill said: “I don’t think in all honesty that Gareth has gone and promised him the earth. I think he’s said, ‘You’re a really decent player, look at the competition that we have but look at what you can do – then the decision is entirely down to you’.
“I’d like to go and see him again – and I’d intend to do so. His father seems a proper gentleman and I’ve been in contact with him. I feel he just wants to let things settle.
“Maybe the ongoing West Ham contract thing is part of his mind. At the end of the day, if he makes the choice and it happens to be England then I’ll abide by that.”
O’neill concedes that the case for choosing England on the basis of making finals and performing well in them is stronger.
He added: “On top of that, and in this day and age, commercially if it becomes really, really strongly in one person’s favour to go for England then it must be a consideration.
“I don’t think it’s the main thought in the family, who’d like him to make a decision before the end of the year.”
It has been argued O’neill could have tied the starlet to Ireland by capping him in a World Cup qualifier against Moldova last October.
Rice’s first action with the senior Ireland team was the friendly against Turkey five months later.
But a bemused O’neill said: “You have to merit getting into the side for a start. I might as well try and cap 16-year-olds playing competitive football then.
“You’re trying to win matches but I’ll end up capping 15-year-olds in competitive football, just so they will play for Ireland for the next 15 years? You shouldn’t be doing that.
“Moldova? Before we played Wales, where we were desperate to win the game? It’s kind of crazy.” INTEREST from Nigeria in Michael Obafemi and from Northern Ireland in Jimmy Dunne has prompted Martin O’neill to take action.
The manager has named four uncapped players in a 36-strong provisional squad for Thursday week’s friendly with Northern Ireland, which precedes the final Nations League clash with Denmark four days later.
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, 19, is included - he was in Liverpool’s Champions League squad last night - as is 22-year-old Ryan Manning, currently on loan from QPR to Rotherham.
O’neill admits he is keen to give 21-year-old Dunne, who is on loan to Hearts from
Burnley, and Obafemi (left), 18 - who saw action for Southampton in the Premier League for the second time this season during Sunday’s 6-1 loss to Manchester City - a look at what they could be part of, given that other suitors are involved.
“It would be ridiculous of me to say that wouldn’t be a part of that,” said O’neill. “I spoke to young Dunne, he was delighted with the call and I think he genuinely wants to play for us and that’s important.
“I was less concerned about Obafemi, I think his desire is to play for us at the end of it all.
“I’ve known from the past that even players involved in a 36/37-man squad always get a lift from that. And that was certainly the case when I spoke to young Dunne.”
Meanwhile, O’neill has decided to push back a possible return for striker David Mcgoldrick until 2019. games.
“Absolutely,” said
O’neill. “I know what James is going through.”
He will discuss the issue with the 29-year-old Stoke winger on Sunday evening or Monday morning.
O’neill said: “This rears it’s head at this particular time of the year for James – remarkably and ironically, it just happens to be when we’re coming into camp.
“If a poppy issue is stopping James from playing for his club and his home country here, in an international match which he loves, and the majority of the crowd would be with him... if that’s the case, then we’d all have to look at certain things there.
“It’s something that James has a strong view on and his view should be respected.”