Eoin Harrington reporting from the Aviva Stadium
Seamus Coleman is expected to captain Ireland on Saturday evening, for the mouthwatering visit of England to the Aviva Stadium.
It will be the first competitive game between the teams since 1991, and the first visit of England to Dublin in any capacity since 2015.
Coleman and Robbie Brady are the only men in this Ireland squad who started that friendly game nine years ago, and both are in the mix to start once again on Saturday in Heimir Hallgrimsson’s first game in charge of the Boys in Green.
Any game against England is bound to whet the appetite, but there is a particular edge to this clash due to the presence of Declan Rice and Jack Grealish in the opposition camp – led by former Ireland international Lee Carsley.
Grealish represented Ireland up to U21 level before declaring for England at senior level, while Rice had made three senior appearances for Ireland before coming to the same decision.
A hostile reception is expected for both men should they feature as expected in Dublin on Saturday. Ireland captain Seamus Coleman, however, refused to be drawn on any talk of whether the pair “deserved” the reception that is anticipated.
The Everton man did nonetheless have a subtle dig at the duo for jumping ship to England.
READ HERE: The Man With The Best Name In Irish Football Has Secured A US College Move
READ HERE: These Are The Irish Footballers Who’ve Received Ballon D’Or Votes
Seamus Coleman shuts down talk of returning ex-Ireland stars ahead of England clash
6 September 2024; Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and Seamus Coleman during a Republic of Ireland press conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Speaking to the Irish media at the Aviva Stadium on Friday morning ahead of Saturday’s Nations League opener, Seamus Coleman was asked to comment on the presence of Declan Rice and Jack Grealish in the England squad.
The veteran right-back was asked whether Rice and Grealish would “deserve” any grief from the Irish crowd.
Coleman shut down that line of questioning, though he did make a subtle dig at the pair by noting the type of character he wanted to have in the Irish squad.
“Do they deserve it?” I think that’s a leading question there to give you a headline.
Listen, they chose who they wanted to represent. I’ve said it for long enough, whatever they feel they are, that’s what they chose to be.
Declan came and played three games, I can only speak of Declan coming in as a person – [he’s a] good guy, top player as everyone knows.
I just want lads that want to represent Ireland, and we’ve got that, we’re eager to do well.
Them lads went their own way and…what reception they get, I don’t know, but it’s been a few years now. It doesn’t concern me.
Coleman played alongside Rice during his brief spell with the Irish senior team in 2018.
The pair are both expected to start on Saturday, as is Jack Grealish, adding a layer of spice to an already heated fixture.
Kick-off between Ireland and England on Saturday is at 5pm.
SEE ALSO: The Youthful Ireland Team Heimir Hallgrimsson Should Pick v England
