UK Edition
Former Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane reacts angrily to Declan Rice's switch of allegiance to England
Former Republic of Ireland international and TV pundit Kevin Kilbane says Declan Rice's decision to switch his allegiance to England "makes a mockery" of international football.
The 20-year-old, whose grandparents hail from Cork, won three Irish caps last year but is now in line for a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s squad for next month’s European Championship qualifiers after releasing a statement confirming his decision.
But the Preston-born Kilbane, who won 110 caps for the Republic after turning down a call-up to England Under-18s, has criticised Rice for accepting his initial international call-up.
"If you’re a 'proud Englishman' then why play for us in the first place?," Kilbane said on Virgin Media Sport while on duty as a pundit on Wednesday night. "I can't understand his decision to play for us in the first place.
"The line that stands out for me is, 'I'm a proud Engishman' if you're a proud Englishman, don't come and play for us.
"It's been dragged on now for five-six months since he decided against taking the call-up for the Nations League. It was done then. I wouldn't have taken the decision to call him up again. He'd had his head turned. It was done.
Rice released a lengthy statement via social media on Tuesday, detailing the discussions he had with family and friends before opting to commit his international future to England.
"Like so many people around the world, I consider myself to be of mixed nationality," Rice said. "I am a proud Englishman, having been born and raised in London. However, I am just as proud of my family’s Irish heritage and my affinity and connection with the country."
"I would've taken that line out of the statement," Kilbane said, "if he doesn't want to antagonise people any further."
"Good luck to him but the suggestion that Mick McCarthy should go and chase, that Martin O'Neill should go and chase him. I don't buy that for one minute.
"I think FIFA have to seriously look at this rule that you can play for one nation and then declare for another.
"I don't believe any player should be able to do that and this makes a mockery of it and I think it makes a mockery of our system as well
"We are actively going over to England and targeting players knowing full well that they can make this decision, it was different 10-15 years ago.
"This stinks in my mind, how it has come about."