2024-09-09 01:44:30
In the match against Ireland, Declan Rice was asked to take over the captain’s armband in the second half. He declined – and later explained why.
The English national team has had a successful start to the new Nations League season. The “Three Lions” secured a comfortable 2-0 away victory against Ireland. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, especially for midfielder Declan Rice.
The 25-year-old had played for all of Ireland’s youth teams and even made three international appearances for the senior team in 2018 before switching associations and playing for the English national team ever since. A fact that many Irish fans still resent to this day.
Accordingly, Rice was greeted with loud boos by the hosts’ fans at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday evening. In addition, banners with his face and that of his teammate Jack Grealish were seen in the stands, on which phrases such as “The snakes are back” could be read. The City professional also once defected from the Irish to the English FA.
Now it was the two “snakes” who gave England the win. Rice scored the first goal of the evening after eleven minutes. The Arsenal star welded the ball into the top right corner after a blocked shot by Harry Kane. Afterwards, the goalscorer did not celebrate exuberantly and raised his hands apologetically.
Grealish did things differently. After 26 minutes, the attacking artist increased the lead to 2-0 with a low shot after an assist from Rice. Grealish, who had not been nominated for the European Championships in Germany, let his emotions run free. He celebrated fervently in front of the English fans.
A bizarre moment occurred in the second half of the match. Five minutes before the end, England’s interim coach Lee Carsley decided to take captain Kane off the field. The Bayern star wanted to give his armband to Declan Rice and was just putting it on him. But the defender asked Kane to remove the piece of cloth from his arm. Rice then pointed to John Stones, who had just been substituted.
After the match, Rice explained why he refused to take over the captaincy for the final minutes of the game. “Kane tried to give me the armband, but Stonesy (John Stones, editor’s note) is older and more experienced than me,” Rice said. “I just told Harry that John probably deserves it more than I do. I told him to give it to John.”
Rice didn’t want to make too much of his action, however. “That was it. You don’t have to make it into something bigger. John is one of the older ones. He’s usually captain when Harry isn’t playing, so it was the right decision.”
Rice also commented on his lack of celebration after the opening goal. His grandparents are Irish and have all since passed away. “I didn’t mean to be disrespectful to them. I enjoyed playing for Ireland and didn’t think it was appropriate.”