Declan Rice dismisses England talk as ‘a load of crap’

Declan Rice has dismissed speculation about his international future as “a load of crap” and insisted that he’s already looking forward to the Nations League match against Wales in Cardiff in September which would provide the first opportunity for the 19-year-old to rubber-stamp his status as an Irish international.

Following another assured performance against the USA on Saturday, in what was only his third senior outing in the green shirt, the West Ham starlet – who is currently still eligible to play for his native England - insisted that he is paying no attention to outside debate about his international intentions.

“I just have to stay focused and play football with a smile on my face,” he said. “I don’t read too much into things and look at social media. It’s all a load of crap. It’s a question that keeps on being asked. But I’m just focused on playing and enjoying my football. There are two games in September (away to Wales in the Nations League on the 6th and a friendly against Poland on the 11th) and I’m looking forward to them.”