Rice vents anger over persistent England links

DECLAN RICE says the debate surrounding his international future is ‘a load of c**p’ after West Ham co-owner David Gold said he could be a future England star.

The 19-year-old has been named man of the match inn two of his of three Ireland, caps for with Republic his latest classy showing coming in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over the United States.

London-born Rice, however, will only end the talk of an England defection when he makes a competitive appearance nce for Martin O’Neill’s side.

Crucially, the chance to do that and end the debate for good will come on September 6 against Wales in Ireland’s UEFA Nations League opener. On the evidence of his season at West Ham and his international breakthrough for Ireland, the midfielder is certainly good enough to be considered for the country of his birth.

Rice, though, was talking about captaining Ireland one day in the wake of the weekend win and it would appear there is no chance of a change of heart. ‘I just have to stay focused and play football with a smile on my face. I don’t read too much into things and look at social media. It’s all a load of c**p to be honest,’ said Rice, who qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents. ‘It’s a question that keeps on being asked. But there arare two games in September and I’m looking forward to them.’ Was he aware of Gold’s comments? ‘It was on the radio and it’s just oone of those things, I won’t take too much from it. He can say that, that’s his opinion,’ added Rice. ‘ But I’m here playing for Ireland and that’s all I can do.’ John O’Shea, who bowed out from the international scene on Saturday after winning 118 caps, had 24 hours earlier backed Rice to emerge as an Ireland skipper. And Rice, whose parents were at the Aviva Stadium to witness the victory, said: ‘Maybe one day I do see myself as a future captain because I have got it within me to tell people what to do and order them around.’