Sport

Republic of Ireland teenager Declan Rice unfazed by talk of future captain's role after 2-1 win over USA

Republic of Ireland skipper John O'Shea acknowledges the fans after Saturday's 2-1 win over USA in the international friendly encounter at the Aviva Stadium. The game was O'Shea's 118th and final cap for his country Picture: PA
Republic of Ireland skipper John O'Shea acknowledges the fans after Saturday's 2-1 win over USA in the international friendly encounter at the Aviva Stadium. The game was O'Shea's 118th and final cap for his country Picture: PA Republic of Ireland skipper John O'Shea acknowledges the fans after Saturday's 2-1 win over USA in the international friendly encounter at the Aviva Stadium. The game was O'Shea's 118th and final cap for his country Picture: PA

DECLAN Rice is not remotely fazed by the suggestion that he is a Republic of Ireland captain in waiting. The 19-year-old is just three games into his senior international career and is yet to play a competitive game for his country, but retiring stalwart John O’Shea has already seen enough to tip him to wear the armband one day.

However, having handled his introduction to the big stage with the minimum of fuss, the West Ham defender is taking the acclaim in his stride.

Asked about O’Shea’s comments, he said: “He’s been at the top of the game and played with some top, top players. To hear that from him, I don’t like to take it on too much, but it’s nice to hear. I’ve had a little joke with him.

“Maybe one day I do see myself as a future captain because I do have it in me to tell people and order people around.”

Rice (right) was handed his debut in Turkey in March, initially lining up at the back and then moving into a midfield role, and he was asked to do the reverse in much more illustrious company in Monday night’s 2-0 defeat in France.

He played as a holding midfielder in Saturday evening’s 2-1 victory over the United States and impressed once again to illustrate a potential which has left manager Martin O’Neill believing he has a genuine talent on his hands.

The teenager also qualifies to represent England and until he makes a competitive appearance for the Republic – his first chance will come against Wales in September – there will be those who may feel Hammers co-chairman David Gold’s challenge to new manager Manuel Pellegrini to make him a fixture in

anEngland shirt could yet come to fruition.

However, Rice has repeatedly insisted his decision has been made and there is no possibility of a rethink.

He said: “It’s a question that keeps being asked. I’m just focusing on playing at the moment and enjoying my football – that’s the main thing. There are two games coming up in September and we’re looking forward to them.”

Asked about Gold’s remarks, he replied: “It’s one of those things, he’s just come out and said it.

I’m not going to take too much from it. I’m here and I’m playing for Ireland.”

At club level, Rice worked under Slaven Bilic and David Moyes during the last campaign, which saw him make 31 appearances, and he will return for pre-season with another manager to impress.

However, he admits he could not have envisaged what has happened to him in the last 10 months.

He said: “Even at the start of the Premier League season, I couldn’t have said I would go on to play that many games. It’s just down to the hard work of both managers that I’ve had at club level who believed in me.

“Martin believed in me here too and the players have also put trust in me, giving me the ball and letting me express myself. I’ve really enjoyed it and I can’t wait to do it more.”

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GRAHAM Burke was lost for words after marking his first start for the Republic of Ireland with his first senior international goal.

On a night when Ireland celebrated defender John O’Shea’s 17-year career in a green shirt, the 24-year-old Shamrock Rovers striker passed a series of landmarks in Saturday’s friendly victory over the United States.

He became the first League of Ireland player to start for the nation since Joe Gamble in 2007, and the first to score since fellow Rover Ray Treacy in 1978, and that took some processing.

Burke said: “It’s been a brilliant night for me. To start a senior game for the Republic of Ireland is an unbelievable achievement for me. To top it off with a goal, I can’t really put it into words what it means to me.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement that will stay with me forever.”

Burke, who made his debut as a substitute against France in Paris on Monday, was left out of the Rovers side which faced Dundalk on Friday night and only learned he was starting an hour before kick-off, and the reality started to dawn during the anthems at the Aviva Stadium.

He said: “That’s the moment that you dream of, isn’t it? You’re standing there in the line and the national anthem is on.

“It was long, and you want to just get it started for me with my nerves in front of the crowd and all that going on. I just wanted the game to get going in order to get my first touch and relax myself into the game.”

His big moment arrived 12 minutes into the second half when substitute Darragh Lenihan blasted a shot towards goal and Burke instinctively got a foot to the ball just as it reached the line.

He said: “I try to be a goalscorer and my instincts are to get in there and just put it in the back of the net. Darragh’s probably not happy – and he has a right to be – but as a striker, I’m never going to give up that opportunity to put the ball in the back of the net.”