Declan Rice

**DeLorean** · 09/11/2018, 8:55 AM

**jbyrne** · 09/11/2018, 9:06 AM

if the first few paraghraphs of the article are to be taken at face value then its clear he hasn't made his decision yet. makes a mockery of all the recent media reports claiming he has decided England.
I see zero benefit to Rice drawing this out if he has decided for England. I see some benefit if he has decided Ireland given his ongoing contract talks with WHU

**DeLorean** · 09/11/2018, 9:08 AM

I was thinking that too. In fact, if he had chosen England he'd probably be keen to get the paperwork started (assuming that isn't already happening behind the scenes).

**tetsujin1979** · 09/11/2018, 9:12 AM

So, everything written about him definitely choosing one side, or the other, in the past four months, has been wrong.
And anything written that was based of those original articles, have been worse.

**jbyrne** · 09/11/2018, 9:26 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

In fact, if he had chosen England he'd probably be keen to get the paperwork started (assuming that isn't already happening behind the scenes).

I don't think he would do that given the sensitivities involved. Its obvious that he, and particularly his family, feels some attachment to us and if it came out afterwards that he had started the England switch process while still claiming he was thinking about things it would make things a bit worse for him. Again, I just don't see any benefit in him not coming out immediately to confirm he has made a decision to go with England

**Deckydee** · 09/11/2018, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

if the first few paraghraphs of the article are to be taken at face value then its clear he hasn't made his decision yet. makes a mockery of all the recent media reports claiming he has decided England.
I see zero benefit to Rice drawing this out if he has decided for England. I see some benefit if he has decided Ireland given his ongoing contract talks with WHU

Thinking the very same thing................

**livehead1** · 09/11/2018, 12:40 PM

It would be pretty funny if it transpired the England interest was drawn out simply to obtain a better contract from West Ham, particularly given Southgate's very public pursuit.

**Stuttgart88** · 09/11/2018, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

I don't think he would do that given the sensitivities involved. Its obvious that he, and particularly his family, feels some attachment to us and if it came out afterwards that he had started the England switch process while still claiming he was thinking about things it would make things a bit worse for him. Again, I just don't see any benefit in him not coming out immediately to confirm he has made a decision to go with England

I was wondering if this was a planted article or an article advised by a publicist. I then wondered for what purpose, thinking it might be a way of softening the blow if he defects. After that I thought maybe it's a way of being polite to England and preparing to let them down. And even after that I thought, maybe he just hasn't decided!

**Diggs246** · 09/11/2018, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I was wondering if this was a planted article or an article advised by a publicist. I then wondered for what purpose, thinking it might be a way of softening the blow if he defects. After that I thought maybe it's a way of being polite to England and preparing to let them down. And even after that I thought, maybe he just hasn't decided!

Hes gone lads and has been since he pulled out. The worst part is he giving false hope to decent Irish fans and we dont deserve that. If you look at the article he refernces his career not heritage or nationality. His only stumbling block is his dad, who he will let down as well.

**jbyrne** · 09/11/2018, 2:02 PM

Originally Posted by Diggs246

Hes gone lads and has been since he pulled out. The worst part is he giving false hope to decent Irish fans and we dont deserve that. If you look at the article he refernces his career not heritage or nationality. His only stumbling block is his dad, who he will let down as well.

I don't agree with that. if he was gone he would say so as he gains little if anything by dragging the decision process out. I honestly believe he is yet to decide.
my odds: 40% us / 60% england

**Diggs246** · 09/11/2018, 2:11 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

I don't agree with that. if he was gone he would say so as he gains little if anything by dragging the decision process out. I honestly believe he is yet to decide.
my odds: 40% us / 60% england

If you honestly believe deep down in your heart of hearts that he is yet to decide why wouldn't you give it 50%/50%?

**jbyrne** · 09/11/2018, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by Diggs246

If you honestly believe deep down in your heart of hearts that he is yet to decide why wouldn't you give it 50%/50%?

because I believe he will probably choose England but I still believe that he hasn't decided. my odds are based on what I think the chances are as to where his head will end up.... not where his head is now

**Olé Olé** · 09/11/2018, 2:47 PM

"One of the hardest decisions I will have to make in my career". That the rules didn't enforce that decision to be made the first time he got a senior cap for Ireland is a sad indictment.

**Diggs246** · 09/11/2018, 3:21 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

because I believe he will probably choose England but I still believe that he hasn't decided. my odds are based on what I think the chances are as to where his head will end up.... not where his head is now

Needs sound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sPVEBAtwmg

**dr_peepee** · 09/11/2018, 6:33 PM

I remember Steven Ireland, early on in his international indecisiveness, very publicly on MOTD after a good performance in a city match talk about having highlights in his career, and representing “his country” being amongst them.... to subsequently carry on the way he did. So I’m giving no faith to the Declan Rice sound bites. His Ireland career is with O’Leary in the grave, as far as I’m concerned.

**Diggs246** · 11/11/2018, 1:24 PM

I bought the Sunday times and two very interesting points. Southgate says the power point presentation meeting wirh Rice in London was bullsh*t and Mon is bringing Mark O'Toole( the youth scout) to meet Rice in Rices dads gaff

**liamoo11** · 11/11/2018, 1:46 PM

Originally Posted by Diggs246

I bought the Sunday times and two very interesting points. Southgate says the power point presentation meeting wirh Rice in London was bullsh*t and Mon is bringing Mark O'Toole( the youth scout) to meet Rice in Rices dads gaff

Thanks Diggs246. I didn't see the Sunday times can you elaborate on the points you raised and the significance you see in it? Thanks it is probably already clear from your post but I have serious baby brain today!

**Diggs246** · 11/11/2018, 1:52 PM

Originally Posted by liamoo11

Thanks Diggs246. I didn't see the Sunday times can you elaborate on the points you raised and the significance you see in it? Thanks it is probably already clear from your post but I have serious baby brain today!

Southgate was directly asked about the meeting in St George's where he supposedly ran through a technical analyse of where Rice would fit in. However this meeting never took place.

Mark O' toole is the Fai scout who brought Rice into our under age set up. Bringing him along is seen as a smart charm offensive.

**tetsujin1979** · 11/11/2018, 2:04 PM

And that was the last time anyone bought the Daily f*cking Star

**liamoo11** · 11/11/2018, 2:18 PM

Originally Posted by Diggs246

Southgate was directly asked about the meeting in St George's where he supposedly ran through a technical analyse of where Rice would fit in. However this meeting never took place.

Mark O' toole is the Fai scout who brought Rice into our under age set up. Bringing him along is seen as a smart charm offensive.

Cheers thank you.