‘Let’s cut them some slack’ – England legend urges Ireland fans to be PROUD of Jack Grealish and Declan Rice
MARTIN KEOWN believes Republic of Ireland fans should be proud of Declan Rice and Jack Grealish.
Rice and Grealish have been public enemies in the eyes of Ireland fans since they switched international allegiances to England.
Both wore the green jersey, with the Arsenal midfielder winning three caps for the senior team under Martin O’Neill.
They now represent the Three Lions, and have played in two European Championship finals.
Ex-Gunners defender Keown – who was also eligible to play for Ireland and was pursued by Jack Charlton – believes fans should cut them some slack.
He said: “Let’s cut them some slack because when you are dual nationality you don’t know quite where you belong.
“Both have probably seen it from a career point of view and then gone back to England, but I don’t think we should destroy them.
“The Irish should be proud that they are carrying their DNA.”
Their career paths were the subject of renewed debate in the lead-up to England’s visit to Dublin for the UEFA Nations League clash against Ireland back in July.
In what was Heimir Hallgrimsson’s first game in charge, England emerged as 2-0 winners.
As should have been expected, it was Rice and Grealish who scored the goals, with the former infamously choosing not to celebrate.
That is despite being subjected to boos throughout the game from Ireland fans.
Refs’ chief Howard Webb reveals Declan Rice red card was correct – but Arsenal wronged by different incorrect decision
Speaking after the game, he revealed his belief that to have celebrated would have been disrespectful to his Irish grandparents.
Rice said: “My nan and grandad on my dad’s side of the family are all Irish. They have obviously passed away, they are not here anymore.
“I think to have celebrated would have been really disrespectful of me, with them obviously not being here anymore and them being my dad’s parents.
“I didn’t want to do that, to be honest with you. Obviously I had such an amazing time playing for Ireland in the first-team, the 19s and 21s.
“I have great memories that will live with me. I don’t have a bad word to say, I wish them all the best, like I always do with anyone.”
Rice also shrugged off the attention on his return to Dublin, which was also on former Ireland Under-21 star Grealish, as well as England boss Lee Carsley who won 39 caps for Ireland.
He said: “Obviously there has been so much talk this week, a lot of people in the media talking about me and Jack (Grealish), and obviously Lee (Carsley).
“But to come here today and just to play and enjoy that environment, I really, really enjoyed it. And to score and get an assist for Jack as well, I was really happy.”
