Declan Rice is bracing himself for a hostile reception as he returns to the Aviva Stadium this evening as an integral part of a new-look England side against Ireland.
The home fans are likely to attempt to make it an uncomfortable evening for the Arsenal midfielder who represented Ireland at senior level on three occasions before he switched allegiances.
Rice appeared set for a distinguished Ireland career and even hinted he had designs on the captaincy after John O’Shea, the former Manchester United defender, earmarked him as a potential future skipper following a friendly against USA.
‘He’s been at the top of the game and played with some top, top players,’ said Rice back in 2018, reacting to O’Shea’s praise.
‘To hear that from him, I don’t try to take it on too much, but it’s nice. I’ll crack a little smile with him and have a little joke.
‘It’s nice and yes, maybe one day I do see myself as a future captain. I have got it in me to tell people and order people around.’
Lee Carsley has no concerns about playing Rice or Jack Grealish in Dublin as the former Republic of Ireland international prepares to lead England out as interim manager for the first time.
Saturday’s Nations League opener marks the start of a new era just 55 days after England lost a second successive European Championship final.
Gareth Southgate called time on his eight-year reign after the narrow loss to Spain, with England Under-21s boss Carsley promoted to caretaker senior boss as the Football Association considers its next steps.
The 50-year-old’s first match in charge comes against the country he represented 40 times as a player, adding extra spice to a fixture that also sees Rice and Grealish return to the Emerald Isle.
Asked if he has any concerns about playing them at the Aviva Stadium, interim boss Carsley said: ‘No, not all.
‘We spoke – not only (to) Jack and Declan, to the whole squad – we spoke about the atmosphere we expect it to be.
‘Exciting, passionate, loud, but it’ll be no different to what the players are used to in Premier League games or high level games. I think they’ll be ready for whatever comes out.”
Quizzed on what reception he expects back in Ireland, the interim England boss said: ‘I’m not sure, to be honest. Probably the same.
‘But if the reception that we had off the kids outside (the hotel) was anything to go by it will be very positive.’
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