O’Neill bristles at criticism for neglecting Rice

MARTIN O’Neill has dismissed as “lunacy” suggestions he should have capped teenager Declan Rice in a World Cup qualifier against Moldova to tie him to the Republic of Ireland.

Ahead of tonight’s final Nations League qualifier against Denmark in Aarhus, O’Neill once again found himself having to defend his handling of the West Ham defender, who is mulling over whether to opt for Ireland or England.

His comments came days after 18-year-old Southampton striker Michael Obafemi committed himself to the Republic, and he could now make his first senior appearance for his country against the Danes.

However, asked about suggestions that he should have ensured 19-year-old Rice did the same by handing him a cap in a World Cup qualifier against Moldova in October last year, O’Neill bristled.

He said: “I find it incredible to think that I should be thinking about that during a game where we are fighting for our lives and trying to win at home.

“I wouldn’t really have thought through where Declan Rice was in that particular scheme. I don’t know whether he was playing regularly for West Ham then – I doubt it.

“To think about putting him on for a couple of minutes just to cap him is crazy, crazy thinking.

“Secondly – and as important – the player would know, so I would say if Declan had thoughts about who he was going to play for, I think that would have reared its head at that particular time.

“To have that criticism directed at you is lunacy, real lunacy. I think that whole situation is absolutely ludicrous.”