Breen: Ultimately, it’s proved he’s not Irish. I’ve always said that from the start of this saga

Kevin Kilbane believes both Martin O’Neill and Mick McCarthy should not have pursued Declan Rice once he stalled his Ireland career last August.

Preston-born Kilbane, who earned 110 caps for Ireland, was outspoken at the time of Rice’s wavering, urging the FAI to “cut the cord” on a player unable to remain committed to the cause.