Apparently it's only his grandparents on his father's side who are Irish, while they're English on his mother's side.Yeah, he had a shelaliegh (sp) as well, didn't you know to be sure.
I'm only taking what I've read in this thread, that his grandparents are Irish and that he was born and raised in England. If that's true, and I can't really be arsed to google whether to confirm that or not, that makes him English.
Contrarary to popular belief, having a tenuous link to the Emerald Isle doesn't an Irishman make and not everyone who has such a link wants to be Irish. Some of us are very happy to be English.
Declan Rice will put out all the right words to the media, and I'm sure he's very sincere in what he's saying, but he's decided to pledge his footballing future to England. I'm sure he'll sleep soundly with all the £s in the bank once he makes his debut.
Worth noting here that Ireland deliberately target youth players who are eligible for two or more countries, most obviously through their grandparents. Yes, they've invested time and money in him, but if you follow that strategy you need to be prepared that some will choose another country when push comes to shove.
Or had he been fully briefed on a player who was coming through the international ranks at youth levels? He was Irish u-17 player of the year in 2017 and u-19 player of the year in 2018.
In the obituary thread.I can't wait till he plays against Ireland, scores and kisses the badge.....should get to a 100+ pages me thinks
Not the same. No senior capsSaido Berahino did the same, played for England Under 16,17,18,19,20,21 but then choose to play for a better nation, we cant win them all
Worth noting here that Ireland deliberately target youth players who are eligible for two or more countries, most obviously through their grandparents. Yes, they've invested time and money in him, but if you follow that strategy you need to be prepared that some will choose another country when push comes to shove.
You’re be really nailing the sinister angle. Haven’t read those interviews. Link?And it's not like Rice picked Ireland because he felt Irish. In his interviews in the past he's said there was no interest from England so they were his only option at youth level. He probably felt pride playing for them, but that doesn't mean that he felt Irish. I still think it's very dodgy for football associations to target children living in other countries. Or at least those who've never lived in the country they're being asked to represent.
Former Gooners don't count. You can have them all.We’ve taken Dan Crowley in retaliation. Yeah, take that England.
Out of order played for England Under 16, 17, 19... we spent all the money .... lolWe’ve taken Dan Crowley in retaliation. Yeah, take that England.
Over his head.Is the award a pint glass?
Apparently not, he’s won it about 4 years running.Don't you have any Irish players you can give the award to?!