Declan Rice has refused to be drawn into a war of words with James McClean following his former Republic of Ireland team-mate’s stinging criticism of his performances at the European Championship.
McClean, working as a pundit on RTÉ in Ireland, has branded Rice “overrated” in his analysis of England, suggesting the Arsenal midfielder does not pass forward enough. “The way the English media wax lyrical about him, I think it’s completely over the top,” he added.
Rice won three senior caps for Ireland – with McClean his team-mate for all his appearances – before switching countries and playing for England from 2019.
“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,” said Rice. “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.
“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. 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.”
McLean has spoken about Rice’s performances on at least three separate occasions while working as a pundit on Irish television. “I think Declan Rice is very overrated,” said the Wrexham winger after England’s 1-1 draw with Denmark last week. “Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a very good footballer, but the way the English media wax lyrical about him, I think it’s completely over the top.”
“For me, he’s not world class. World class to me is someone who gets in every single side in the world and I don’t think he does that. I don’t think he gets in the Man City side ahead of Rodri.
“To me Toni Kroos is world class, He dictates the game, Rodri dictates the game, I don’t think Declan Rice does that.”
After receiving a backlash on social media, McClean doubled down on his remarks the following day.
“I think that Denmark won the midfield battle in that half. Like, I made comments yesterday about Declan Rice which, you know, people have got their knickers in a twist about,” he added.
“I think, for a hundred million pound player, I want to see more than just five yards sideways and backwards passes.
“Like, he attempted one forward pass in the half and it went straight into the keeper’s hands. Like, I want to see him do more, break lines.”