England midfielder Declan Rice has opened up on scoring against Ireland after being booed by large sections of the home support in Saturday’s Nations League clash in Dublin.
England kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win over Ireland, with Rice and Jack Grealish scoring first-half goals for the visitors at the Aviva Stadium.
Both Arsenal midfielder Rice and Manchester City winger Grealish previously represented Ireland before switching their international allegiance to England.
London-born Rice was eligible to play for Ireland as his paternal grandparents were from Cork, while three of Birmingham-born Grealish’s grandparents hailed from across the Irish Sea.
Rice, 25, played three times for Ireland’s senior side before switching his allegiance to England in 2018. He has since gone on to make 59 appearances for the Three Lions, scoring four times – including the opener on Saturday.
Rice refused to celebrate, unlike Grealish – who pumped his fist in the direction of the travelling England supporters before holding his fingers in his ears, in an apparent message to Ireland fans who had their two former players.
Speaking in the tunnel after the match, Rice made his feelings clear on scoring against Ireland and helping to set up Grealish for the second goal.
“I’ve not watched it back yet but I’ve heard it’s a really good finish – the boys have been telling me,” he told England’s official X account.
“I’ve made up the yards and ran from back to front. It’s something I’m really strong and good at, and for it to fall to me in the box… if you don’t make up those yards then you don’t score.
Declan Rice and Jack Grealish both scored against Ireland (Image: Getty)
“To set up one and then score for Jack, it was a really nice feeling to be honest.”
England next face Finland on Tuesday in another Nations League match and Rice is looking forward to his second game under interim manager Lee Carsley.
“It’s good to be back,” added Rice.
“Refreshing this week, it’s been really, really positive. Let’s keep building – it’s going to be really good to be back at Wembley.
“Finland will be a tough test but we’ll be ready, and we’re ready to go again.”
Featured Image Credit: X/England
Topics: England, Football, Declan Rice, Jack Grealish, Ireland, Arsenal, UEFA Nations League