Gary Breen shared his disillusionment with Martin O’Neill’s decision to question whether Declan Rice is a committed to the Republic of Ireland.
The West Ham defender has earned three caps for the Boys in Green after playing in friendlies against Turkey, France and the United States of America.
But the 19-year-old is reportedly interesting current England manager Gareth Southgate with Rice still eligible to play for the Three Lions given he has yet to play a competitive fixture at senior level.
And former Ireland international Breen insists he isn’t worried about Rice switching allegiances despite O’Neill’s concerns.
“No, not one bit,” Breen told OTB.
“How many more times does Declan have to say that he’s Irish?”
“We keep saying just because of what happened to Jack Grealish. He made it known that he played for Ireland because it made his grandmother happy. So he obviously doens’t have that natural affiliation with Ireland.
Jack Grealish celebrates scoring for Ireland U-21s in 2013. Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie
“It doesn’t matter what your upbringing is. People will say: ‘You’re London-raised Gary, so you’ll know what Declan’s like’. I don’t.
“I know what my scenario was like. My Mum and Dad are Irish and all my Aunts and Uncles are Irish. I don’t know what [background] his immediate family is.
“But just by listening to him – he’s so proud of playing for Ireland. He wants to do it. He can’t do anymore than saying: ‘I’m Irish and I want to play football for Ireland’.
“I don’t know why Martin O’Neill hasn’t nipped it in the bud and is adding fuel to the fire is beyond me.”
Breen also argued Rice’s lack of playing time in the Premier League is of far bigger importance and he believes Rice would be called out if he was not performing in training and in matches.
“He’s with Declan in the hotel. He’s training with Declan,” Breen added.
“You’re with each other for 24-hours over a five or six day period when you’re away internationally and you know the guys who have just gone there for a career move.
“And you know the ones who have that natural desire to pull on the green jersey. You know it as a manager and you certainly know it as teammates. He must know it.
“The only fear you have now is that he isn’t playing first-team football. [Manuel] Pellegrini has brought in the likes of Balbuena and they bought a 22-year-old from Toulouse for £22million.
“He’s ahead of Declan as well.”
James Hopper
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