‘Proud Englishman’ Rice opts out
McCarthy admits FAI can have no complaints about a rule they have also availed of
DECLAN RICE has admitted that he did not expect to be given the opportunity to play for the country of his birth after choosing to play for England over Ireland.
The West Ham star has brought down the curtain on his Irish career by writing to FIFA to request a change of international allegiance.
It means that he will be available for selection by Gareth Southgate later this year, with Rice ending the saga surrounding his future by releasing a lengthy statement outlining the dilemma he faced.
“This has been an extremely difficult decision and in all honesty, one that I never expected to be making at this stage of my career,” said Rice, who played for Ireland all the way up the ranks from U-15 to senior level.
“Like so many people around the world, I consider myself to be of mixed nationality. I am a proud Englishman, having been born and raised in London. However, I am just as proud of my family’s Irish heritage and my affinity and connection with the country.
“I have equal respect and love for both England and Ireland and therefore the national team I choose to represent is not a clear-cut, simple selection. Ultimately, it is a personal decision I made with my heart and my head, based on what I believe is best for my future.”
Ireland manager Mick McCarthy wished Rice well and said the FAI were not in a position to complain about the rules that allowed the 20-year-old to change because they have benefited from the same loophole.
He is currently pursuing Nathan Redmond who has already been capped by England in a friendly.
“This is Declan’s decision,” said McCarthy. “We have availed of the ruling ourselves so we can’t complain about it.
“We start the European Championship qualifiers at the end of March and my coaching staff and I have concentrated our efforts on those who want to play for us.”
“When I met Declan and his family, along with Robbie Keane last November, I told Declan that I would be delighted if he opted to stay with Ireland,” continued McCarthy. “That is not to be.”
The Irish boss also made special mention of Mark O’Toole, the talent scout who sourced Rice when he was a little-known player trying to make his way at West Ham. He was also thanked by Rice in his missive.
“I phoned Mark (O’Toole) and he is disappointed with this news. I feel for Mark because he found him for us and nurtured Declan as a player and helped develop his career,” said McCarthy.
Indeed, O’Toole continues to be active in the area of searching for Ireland-qualified players with flexible rules adding complexities to the area – especially at underage level.
The Ireland U-17 team which defeated Poland in a friendly yesterday included Manchester City midfielder Joe Hodge who has lined out for England and Ireland in the past six months.
Rice’s statement did attract criticism from former Ireland internationals Gary Breen and Kevin Kilbane, who grew up in England but never had any doubt about their allegiance.
Breen told ‘Off The Ball’ that he was frustrated by Rice’s decision because of previous statements where he spoke about how much playing for Ireland meant to him.
“I bought into everything he said,” asserted Breen.
“When he first came and trained with the senior team down in Cork, I listened to how eloquent he was and how much he made me believe it meant to him to play for Ireland.”
Meanwhile, Kilbane said: “If you’re a ‘proud Englishman’ then why play for us in the first place?”
Virgin Media pundit Graeme Souness said he felt that the commercial value of playing for England was a key driver in the decision.
“It oozes that his advisors are telling him that if you are going to fully – if I can use the words cash in – over the next 10 to 12 years, then you will be more valuable to them if you’re wearing an English shirt than an Irish one.
“In every sentence, he is covering his backside.”