Earlier this week, West Ham co-owner David Gold made a big claim about young prospect Declan Rice. Speaking to TalkSport in relation to an upcoming appointment, Gold claimed he was 'looking forward to the new manager turning Declan Rice into a strong English defender for the future of the England team.' Now Roy Keane has responded.
Rice has represented the Republic of Ireland in an international friendly only, and thus is still eligible to swap nationality. However, the youngster has spoken positively about his future with Ireland and now assistant manager Keane has reaffirmed that commitment.
Speaking today to RTE Sport ahead of Ireland's upcoming friendlies against USA and France, Keane claimed that would be a difficult avenue for the future Hammers boss to pursue.
It's going to be pretty difficult if he's Irish - and he is Irish. He plays for Ireland. Where else would he want to go, if you had a choice, Ireland or England?
"It's pretty straightforward, isn't it? Ireland.
Rice appeared 26 times for West Ham last season and showed a lot of promise. He is included in the Ireland squad for the upcoming friendlies.
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