Michael Keane has admitted to using Ireland as a stepping stone to becoming an England international.
Keane, who was born in Stockport, played for Ireland at U17 and U19 levels before declaring for England in 2012.
The Everton centre-back's twin brother Will is currently amid a switch of allegiance from England to Ireland having been approached by Mick McCarthy.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Michael Keane said that he has sympathy for Declan Rice regarding his recent decision on his international future.
"It’s not an easy decision, it wasn’t for me at the time, so I can only imagine it’s harder for him," said Keane, who made his England senior debut two years ago.
I don’t know what his family situation is, who’s Irish or whatever, but I knew when I changed that I felt really, really English.
My dad is Irish but I don’t know any of his Irish family, so I’ve never really felt like I’m fully Irish.
So, I don’t know how Declan feels but that was part of my thinking behind my choice.
"I think you’ve got to go with your instincts," added Keane.
"I think you’ve got to go with where you feel like you belong.
“I always felt like I belonged with England and that’s why I’ve always dreamed of playing for England.
"Even when I was at Ireland, I wasn’t good enough to play for England at the minute, and at that time I was only young and small and still developing.
"I had in the back of my head that hopefully one day I could play for England.
"I think you’ve just got to go on your gut feel and obviously see how you’re performing week in, week out, and where you think you could end up in your career."
