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England star Declan Rice says James McClean’s criticism of him may come from ‘bitterness’ towards him for deciding not to play for the Republic of Ireland.
McClean sparked headlines as a pundit for Irish TV channel RTE, by claiming Rice was was ‘overrated’ and ‘not world class’.
He again hit out at Rice after England’s 1-1 draw with Denmark at Euro 2024, insisting people ‘got their knickers in a twist’ over his prior comments and that he wants to see more than sideways and backwards passes from a £100m player.
England play Slovenia in their final group stage match on Tuesday night, and ahead of the game, Rice was asked about McClean’s criticism.
The Arsenal star said: ‘Do you know what? 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.
‘It would be easy for me to sit here and say something back to him but, like I said, we are at opposite ends of our careers now – he’s 35 and I’m 25.
‘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.’
Rice then went on to point out his decision to switch from playing for Republic of Ireland to England might have played a part.
He said: ‘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.’
Rice, born in Kingston upon Thames, was eligible to play for Ireland as his grandparents are from Cork.
He played three friendlies for the Irish before pledging his future to England back in February 2019.
The Arsenal star has over 50 caps for England at the age of 25 and has been regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League alongside Man City star Rodri.
Speaking on RTE, McClean had said: ‘I think Declan Rice is overrated. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a very good footballer, but the way the English media wax lyrical about him is completely over the top.
‘For me, he’s not world class. To me world class is someone who gets in every side in the world. I don’t think he does that. I don’t think he gets in the Man City side ahead of Rodri. To me Toni Kroos is world class, He dictates the game, Rodri dictates the game, I don’t think Declan Rice does that.
‘Someone who gets it on the half turn, plays passes forward. He’s very good at what he does.’
Then in England’s clash with Denmark, McClean said: ‘I made a comment about Declan Rice that people have got their knickers in a twist but for a £100million player I want to see more than just five-yard sideways and backwards passes.’