Declan Rice's comments about James McClean speak volumes about England ace (2024)

Arsenal star Declan Rice says England can 'deliver history' in this summer's Euros

‌“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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