BEST BEST OF THE and has my Player of the Year vote
TOMORROW, LIVE ON ITV, KO 7.45PM ‘Give Rice respect’
ENGLAND
England have won one and drawn three of their four previous matches against Montenegro in all competitions, running out 4-1 winners in their most recent encounter in October 2013 at Wembley.
The Three Lions have drawn each of their two previous away games in Montenegro (2-2 in October 2011 and 1-1 in March 2013), last drawing three away matches in a row against a single opponent back in August 2009 versus Netherlands.
England have not lost any of their last 21 away competitive matches (W14 D7) since a 0-1 defeat in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Ukraine back in October 2009.
Montenegro have won just one of their last five matches (W1 D1 L3), drawing 1-1 in their first qualification game against Bulgaria. JON WALTERS has called Declan Rice “brave” for ditching Ireland to pull on an England shirt.
The former Ireland international, who retired from football on Friday, was pals with Rice during the West Ham United star’s brief spell with The Boys in Green.
Rice, 20, switched allegiance from Ireland to England last month and made his debut for the Three Lions in Friday’s romp against the Czech Republic, just a year after he won the first of his three caps for Ireland.
Walters, 35, feels Rice shouldn’t have played senior football for Ireland – but also thinks the midfielder deserves “respect”.
Walters said: “He is very brave to do what he has done. In a way, you have to show a certain respect that he has done it.
“He hasn’t helped himself this week with certain things (he has said), but it’s done now.”