'Full focus on players who want to be here,' O'Shea not lingering on Rice defection

WATCHFUL EYES: Coaches, from left, assistant coach John O'Shea, assistant coach Paddy McCarthy and head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

John O’Shea insists Ireland have forgotten about Declan Rice as he prepares to return to Lansdowne Road on Saturday as an England player.

Rice played through the Ireland ranks, including three senior appearances, before switching allegiance to his homeland in 2019. He’s since reached two Euros finals, earning 58 caps and will form the backbone of their midfield again in this campaign.

Ireland begin their Uefa Nations League series against England on Saturday at Lansdowne Road (5pm), followed by another home assignment against Greece on Tuesday.

“No, not at all,” said O’Shea, a former Ireland teammate of Rice and now assistant of new Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson.

“It’s the focus on players who want to be here. He’s not here, he’s in the England squad so we can’t keep talking about it.”

Another familiar face to O’Shea is Lee Carsley, the England interim boss who won 40 caps for Ireland between 1996 and 2008, including a cameo at the 2002 World Cup.

“Lee has jumped up from the U21s and I’m sure people behind the scenes would like to see continue but there’ll be an outcry for other names,” said O’Shea, confirming no injury concerns for Saturday.

“I haven’t spoken to him recently, only seeing him at different games. When I did my FAI A coaching license, he came in to speak with us. I’d always get on well with Carso but it’s a different scenario now. We’ll get a chance to catch up at some stage on Saturday.” 

England have lost Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden from their squad.

“I knew of the potential for illness and niggles,” he said. “It brings into play some of the younger players, the U21s, they brought into the squad.

“Everyone will know, including our manager, from coming in the bus and the history of the game how brilliant a game it is to be involved in. It’s a great test of where we’re going and where we want to get to.”