Sam Allardyce has hit back at James McClean's recent comments about Declan Rice, in what has been a busy week for the Wrexham player. Former Republic of Ireland International James McClean has made headlines over the past week since Euro 2024 got underway, most recently for his comments on RTÉ whereby he argued that Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice, who has three caps for Ireland, is 'overrated' by many in the English media.
Sam Allardyce, who managed England on just one occasion before he starred in a national sports corruption scandal and resigned from the role, childishly responded "Who is he?" when he was asked on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast about McClean's comments.
READ HERE: James McClean Says He Cannot Understand English Hype Around Declan Rice
'Who is he?' Sam Allardyce Responds To McClean Criticism Of Declan Rice
Speaking on Wednesday night on RTÉ, James McClean claimed that Declan Rice was 'overrated', and could not understand the hype that surrounds him in the English media. He argued:
"For me, he’s not world class. To me world class is someone who gets in every side in the world. I don’t think he does that. He's good at what he does. He sees danger and puts out fires, but for the hype that surrounds him, I don't think it's justified."
On a podcast released this afternoon, Sam Allardyce and Kevin Nolan reacted to McClean's comments. Nolan, most famous for his time at Bolton Wanderers and West Ham, began by muttering underneath his breath, "Well, James McClean, I mean, come on, do me a favour", before Allardyce interrupted by saying "Who is he?", very much to his own amusement.
"Who is he? James McClean? Who is he?"
"Ask Mikel Arteta, what he's done for Arsenal last year"
As one Social Media user noted, "Declan Rice has one medal. Not with Mikel", obviously referencing his Europa League Conference win with West Ham in 2023.
Nolan and Sam Allardyce were clearly very pleased with themselves for their comeback to McClean's comments, which seem to have rattled the English media over the past few days. Claiming to know Declan Rice, Kevin Nolan said that McClean's comments "would've just made him laugh."
Nolan admitted that Rice "didn't have his best game in an England jersey", seemingly referencing England's abismal 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday night, but Allardyce insisted he was not the only one to play poorly the other night. Nolan continued,
"That's one in about I reckon 60. He's had one bad game in sixty for England. I thought he's been brilliant every time I've watched him"
It's worth pointing out that Declan Rice only has 56 International caps, three of which are for the Republic of Ireland.
"WHO is James McClean?!" 😳
❌ Big Sam and Kevin Nolan were NOT impressed by James McLean's comments on Declan Rice...
🗣️ "James McClean? Come on..."
🗣️ "Knowing Dec, that would have just made him laugh" #NoTippyTappyFootball w/@WilliamHill #Ad pic.twitter.com/p2vnPMbkZS— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) June 22, 2024
I guess you could say the English media are rattled...
SEE ALSO: James McClean's Words On 'Arrogant' England Were Prophetic
