DECLAN Rice’s family would prefer him to choose Ireland over England and the West Ham midfielder could yet commit his future to the green jersey, says Republic manager Martin O’Neill.
London-born Rice was again absent as O’Neill named his provisional squads for the friendly against Northern Ireland (November 15) at Aviva Stadium and the UEFA Nations League clash with Denmark four days later.
O’Neill says the England target will make up a final decision on his international future “at the end of the year”. He intends to meet with the Rice family before then to reiterate his desire that he pledges his footballing future to Ireland.
“I don't think that in all honesty that Gareth (Southgate, England manager) has gone and promised him the earth,” said former Celtic manager O’Neill.
“I think that he has said: ‘I think that you are a really decent player, look at the competition that we have but look at what you can do - then the decision is entirely to you’.
“I think that it is exactly the case. So if you think: ‘I can play there and England are going to qualify for the competitions and I am going to be part of that and going to have a better chance of winning and going further in European Championships and the World Cup than I would have if I was playing for Ireland’.
“Let's be fair, historically speaking, that would be the case. There are those things to consider.”
When asked if there was more he could have done to entice Rice – who won three senior caps for Ireland in friendly games - to play for the Republic, O’Neill replied: “I would like to go and see him again and I would intend to do so.
“His father seems a proper gentleman and I’ve been in contact with him.
“I feel he just wants to let things settle. Maybe the contract thing is probably part of his mind and, at the end of the day, if he makes the choice and it happens to be England then I’ll abide by that.
“The difference being between himself and Jack Grealish - and it may be a strong difference - is that the family would like him to play for us. In Jack's case, the family wanted him to play for England.”
Stephen Ward (knee) and Jonathan Walters (Achilles) are ruled out of the squad, but experienced duo Seamus Coleman and Robbie Brady return after long-term injuries and there are first senior call-ups for Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Jimmy Dunne (Hearts), Ryan Manning (Rotherham United) and Michael Obafemi (Southampton).
“I think just getting him back is a good boost but asking him now to be the complete match winner again after being a year out of the game is asking a lot,” said O’Neill of Brady’s return.
“He's had things to consider, but it's great to have him back, it's a big boost for us.”
2018 has not been a good year for the Republic of Ireland and O’Neill admitted that. He will be anxious that his side signs off on a positive note in this month’s double-header.
“It’s not been good, no,” he admitted.
“The international (friendly) matches have been quite tough but that’s been good, that is something that we have chosen but it’s been a tough old year, we have to fight back.
“We’ve fought back before and qualified for a tournament (the 2016 European Championships) in France.
“We were beaten in the (World Cup) play-offs but we qualified for the play-offs, that’s the point. Well beaten in the game of course so yes, it’s been a tough year, let’s try to fight back, see where these games take us and try to roar back.”
Republic of Ireland Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Colin Doyle (Hearts), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long (Burnley), Jimmy Dunne (Hearts*), John Egan, Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers), Greg Cunningham (Cardiff City)
Midfielders: Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Harry Arter (Cardiff City*), Conor Hourihane, Glenn Whelan (Aston Villa), David Meyler (Reading), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Shaun Williams (Millwall), Richie Towell, Ryan Manning (Rotherham United*), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City)
Forwards: Shane Long, Michael Obafemi (Southampton), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Sean Maguire, Callum Robinson (Preston North End), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth)
*Indicates the player is on loan
