Declan Rice, an England player, believes James McClean’s criticism of him stems from ‘bitterness’ over his decision not to play for the Republic of Ireland.
McClean, a pundit for Irish television channel RTE, made waves by stating Rice was ‘overrated’ and ‘not world class’.
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He took out at Rice again following England’s 1-1 draw with Denmark at Euro 2024, arguing that people ‘got their knickers in a twist’ over his previous comments and that he expects more than sideways and backwards passes from a £100 million player.
England’s last group stage match against Slovenia comes on Tuesday night, and Rice was asked about McClean’s criticism before the game.
The Arsenal star responded, “Do you know what? I played three games for Ireland alongside James and got along well with him.
‘I’m not going to sit here and criticize him. I thought he was a great man. When I left Ireland to come to England, I heard a few things that he was clearly unhappy about. He made remarks a few years back.
It is what it is. I am not going to sit here and talk about him. He’s had a wonderful career himself; I believe he’s nearing the conclusion of his career and has 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.’
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