Ex-Irish international Shay Given has revealed Jack Grealish’s cheeky response after being warned about the frosty reception awaiting him when England play Ireland.
The Three Lions travel to Dublin for the first time since June 2015 as they meet in a UEFA Nations League fixture at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
It also marks interim England boss Lee Carsley’s first game in charge as he looks to mount a case as to why his role should be made permanent.
Interestingly, Carsley made 40 appearances for Ireland during his playing days.
But Carsley isn’t the only figure within England’s set-up who has donned an Irish shirt.
Grealish, born in Birmingham but with Irish heritage, represented Ireland at under-17, under-18 and under-21 levels but declined several call-ups to play for the senior team.
The forward’s constant rebuffs sparked speculation he was about to switch his international allegiances, which Grealish later confirmed in September 2015.
The 28-year-old has gone on to feature 36 times for England, including an appearance at the 2022 World Cup.
Star midfielder Declan Rice is another who made the switch, having played three games for Ireland’s senior team before pledging his future to England in Feburary 2019.
With three former Irish figures now in the English camp, Given warned the trio to expect a hostile atmosphere on Saturday.
“Lee won’t be expecting anything else other than a volatile reception with his team because it’s our biggest rival,” Given told The Sun.
“It’s going to be a fiery atmosphere, that’s for sure. It’s crazy how the stars have aligned that his first game is Ireland away.
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“I don’t imagine Lee will be doing a lap of honour after the game! He knows what he’s walking into.
“Rice and Grealish are two brilliant players who were both wearing the green of Ireland at one point.
“I’m sure they’ll be in for a bit of a reception as well.”
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Given also revealed he had been in contact with Grealish ahead of Saturday’s fixture.
Grealish was brought back into the fold by Carsley after he was controversially axed from former England boss Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for the Euros.
Given, who played alongside Grealish at Aston Villa, warned the Manchester City star about what to expect from Irish fans inside the Aviva Stadium.
But Grealish’s response summed up how he is feeling ahead of the contest.
“Jack’s back in the squad,” Given said.
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“I texted him jokingly the other day that I hope he’s ready for a nice reception when he gets back to Dublin and I got a few laughing faces back.”
Given will no doubt want Ireland to have the last laugh once the full-time whistle goes on Saturday, with England aiming to win on Irish soil for the first time in 60 years.
England’s last win over Ireland in Dublin came on May 24 in 1964 when they ran out 3-1 victors in a friendly.
Since then, the fierce rivals have played out two draws while their 1995 clash was abandoned due to the Lansdowne Road riot.
However, England are the most recent victors in the historic rivalry having beaten Ireland 3-0 in a friendly in November 2020.
England v Ireland head-to-head record
England wins: Six (1-0 in 1946, 5-1 in 1957, 3-1 in 1964, 2-0 in 1980, 2-1 in 1985, 3-0 in 2020)
Ireland wins: Two (2-0 in 1949, 1-0 in 1988)
Draws: Eight
Last time they met: England 3-0 Ireland at Wembley Stadium, November 2020