James McClean has claimed Declan Rice is "very overrated" and the Arsenal star gave a classy response when asked about the comments ahead of England's Euro 2024 clash with Slovenia
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Arsenal star Declan Rice says England can 'deliver history' in this summer's Euros
Declan Rice showed a touch of class in the way he avoided James McClean’s clumsy attempt to put the boot into his reputation.
Let’s be honest, McClean might have an axe to grind with the English. He’s a proud Irishman, born and raised as a Republican in Derry, a city once tragically torn apart in the Troubles. He isn’t going to have a positive opinion on someone, from Irish extraction, who decided to reject the chance to play for the Republic to wear the crest of the Three Lions.
When McClean decided to use his stint on TV to dismiss the £100million England midfielder as “overrated”, Rice spotted the ambush from 960 miles away at England’s training base in Blankenhain.
He mentioned the possibility that the Irishman hasn’t forgiven him for having a crisis of conscience about playing 17 games for the Republic’s underage team and making three appearances for the senior team before pledging his allegiance to the country of his birth.
Rice said: “Do you know what? I played with James for Ireland for three games and I got on with him really well. I am not going to sit here and slag him off. I thought he was a really top guy. When I left Ireland to come to England, I heard a few things he was obviously not happy about.
“He made comments a few years ago. It is what it is. I am not going to sit here and say anything about him. He’s had a great career himself - I think he is coming to the end of his career now and he’s got over a hundred caps for Ireland.
“It would be easy for me to sit here and say something back to him but, like I said, we are at opposite ends of our careers now - he’s 35 and I’m 25. I’ve known him, I’ve played with him, he’s entitled to his opinion and I’ve had to fight a load of those opinions from other people before.
“It might be a bit of bitterness towards me not playing for Ireland, but I’ve not got a bad word to say about him, to be honest. I see the comments but I don’t try to put too much energy into it. It is what it is and you move on. You live and learn.”
It was a masterclass in diplomacy from the Arsenal star. What Rice could have done was point out that McClean himself represented Northern Ireland at Under-21 level before switching to the Republic. It led to him being targeted by sectarian abuse and death threats - and how can you criticise someone who feels compelled to follow their heart?
Rice might have even wondered out loud why McClean has been happy enough taking the King’s shilling during a career which took him to Sunderland, Wigan, West Brom and Stoke when he clearly doesn’t have any affection for the country which has set him up financially for the rest of his life.
Or what about the time when McClean took to social media to criticise Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni for leaving him out of a World Cup qualifier and was later forced to issue an apology?
Whether you agree with McClean’s take on Rice is a matter of opinion. That, after all, is what football's about. But some of his observations weren't exactly accurate.
“For me, he's not world class,” said McClean. “To me, world class is someone who gets in every side in the world. I don't think he does that. I don't think he gets in the Man City team ahead of Rodri.”
Maybe not. Rodri is, after all, the best in the world as a defensive midfielder. Yet Pep Guardiola was still ready to pay West Ham £100million to take Rice to the Etihad until Arsenal increased their own offer and the player decided to stay in the capital. McClean’s ramblings made him sound like a Poundshop Roy Keane. Rice was right to give him a body swerve.
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