Rice says McClean comments could be 'bitterness towards me not playing for Ireland'
James Cox
Declan Rice has suggested James McClean's criticism "might be a bit of bitterness towards me not playing for Ireland".
Arsenal midfielder Rice infamously made three senior appearances for the Republic of Ireland before switching allegiances to his country of birth.
On Euro 2024 punditry duty with RTÉ last week, McClean said the England star was "overrated" and "not world class".
When asked about McClean's comments at a press conference ahead of England's clash with Slovenia on Tuesday night, Rice said: "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.
"It is what it is. 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."
He added: "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."
Despite taking four points from their opening two Euro 2024 games, England’s performances have been criticised, especially the display in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Denmark.
“Tomorrow is a chance for us as a group to bounce back from the other night,” Rice said on the eve of the clash at RheinEnergieStadion.
“That’s the beauty of football. You always get another chance to go again and tomorrow night we have that chance to put that game behind us and move forward in a positive way.”
