Kane hails unity within Southgate camp
DECLAN RICE wants to forget about Ireland and focus on his future with England.
The West Ham midfielder has come under fire for switching allegiances despite winning three senior caps for Republic of Ireland.
He has dual qualification due to his grandparents being born in Ireland.
But he chose to dump the Irish and is now relishing the chance to make his England debut after being called up by boss Gareth Southgate for the first time.
The Londoner said: “It was a really tough decision. I think everyone knows my situation with Ireland.
“I’ve played there in the youth set-up but I had to make a decision that was best for me.
“As you can hear, I am English, I am from England, but it was really good playing for Ireland.
“Now I’m just really looking forward to pulling on the England shirt.
“I’ve got to look forward and forget about the past.”
Rice says he is fulfilling a childhood dream.
The 20-year-old said: “You can’t describe it.
I just couldn’t believe it.
“I was just bursting with pride. It’s everything that you work for as a kid and it has come true.
“The call-up is one of the best feelings ever.” TAMMY ABRAHAM is using England captain Harry Kane as his inspiration in a bid to start thinking and scoring outside the box.
The England Under-21 striker has scored all 49 of his league goals inside the area.
“After every game I reflect on my own performance, not just the team’s,” said Abraham, 21, ahead of tomorrow’s Young Lions clash against Poland at Ashton Gate.
“You look at Harry Kane, although he’s absolutely ruthless inside the box he also scores goals from outside the box.
“So that’s one thing I’ve got to work on, positioning myself outside the box and obviously taking shots.
“I’ve heard many stories of players who have trained with Harry Kane. The best players are always the last ones off the pitch, always working on their game.
“It’s about following those footsteps and doing the same thing.”
HARRY KANE insists England’s stars are united as one in their pursuit of glory.
Three Lions squads of the past have been hampered by club rivalries spilling over on to the international scene.
Like in 2000 when Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard admitted he thought Manchester United rival Gary Neville would be waiting to ambush him when he joined up with England for the first time.
The current Rangers boss went on to reveal that he had to pretend he liked United star Rio Ferdinand while on England duty.
Between 1998 and 2004 the rivalries were at their peak, when stars from clubs like United, Arsenal and Liverpool would refuse to mix, even at meal times.
But times have changed since Gareth Southgate became boss in 2017.
And despite Manchester City and Liverpool battling for the Premier League title and Manchester United and Tottenham joining them in the fight to become Champions League winners, captain Kane insists personal rivalries are a thing of the past.
“It kind of happens naturally,” he said. “I think everyone looks forward to coming away with England and meeting up again. Of course, you have a bit of banter about it but everyone is on to England.
“That’s important. When you come away you have to give 100 per cent – everything else is put to the side and then, when you go back, it starts again. It’s been part of our success.
“We’ve heard about things happening in the past – people sitting on different tables and teams being divided. You just can’t have that in a team. You need to be together.”
Kane insists the current crop of exciting talent is more interested in fighting the opposition rather than themselves, starting against Czech Republic in Friday’s opening Euro 2020 qualifier.
He said: “Since I’ve been here, it’s been good. Jordan Henderson is getting on with Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker gets on with Trent Alexander-Arnold. “So, again, with Hendo and Raheem for example, they’ve known each other a long time. Of course they want to beat each other but they’re not going to let that get in the way of what’s important this week, which is the international game.
“I don’t need to talk to them about that or anything. They do that naturally.”
Not having to keep squabbling team-mates apart is one less thing for Kane to worry about, leaving him more time to focus on becoming even better.
The 25-year-old won the Golden Boot while leading England to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia last summer.
But he believes this could be just the start because he is nowhere near his peak.
The Spurs striker, who has 25 goals for club and country this season, said: “Nowadays, with everything like sports science, I feel the prime can be a bit later – late 20s.
“I hope to be maybe 28 or 30, that’s when you’re going to be in your prime, if you keep yourself in shape – Ronaldo has proven that and Messi as well. I’ve still got a little bit to go.
“I feel each year I’ve improved. This year I’ve improved as well. I’d like to think that, in a couple more years, I’ll be in my prime.”