Seamus Coleman says that Declan Rice would be welcomed back into the Republic of Ireland squad with open arms.
Rice didn’t made himself available for this evening’s Nations League game against Wales.
The West Ham midfielder – who played three friendlies for Ireland earlier this year – is mulling over his international future and is considering declaring for England having been approached by the England manager, Gareth Southgate.
Rice has shipped reams of criticism since the new emerged, but Coleman says it’s not as clear-cut as some are saying,
”Some people back home might not like to hear it — he’s a 19-year-old boy who was born in England and there’s no reason why he can’t be a proud Irishman,” Ireland captain Coleman said.
“After the Turkey game, getting man of the match, I saw him embrace his father in the tunnel and that’s not for show. That’s genuine. He was genuinely proud to play in the games that he did and in an ideal world we’d get him back.
“It’s not as straightforward as ‘they know what they are’.
“The young lad was born in England and there’s no reason why he can’t feel in some part English and also be very proud to play for Ireland, which I know he is. So on that situation, fingers crossed, we’d welcome Declan back with open arms.”
Coleman insists there is no cloud over tonight’s fixture in Wales – the opponents against whom he broke his leg in March 2017.
Coleman said: “The night in Dublin is something I’m not really thinking about.
“The rehab isn’t ideal, you miss a part of your career but once it happens the only way you’ll get back on the pitch is by putting in the work. I got my head down, worked hard in the gym, worked hard with the fitness coaches, and, thankfully, I’m back playing for my country.”
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