BREAKING NEWS: Declan Rice’s actions against Ireland yesterday are surprising—it’s clear the England international hasn’t learned from his previous mistake with Brighton.

Declan Rice opened the scoring for England in the 11th minute with a composed finish inside the box. Despite being surrounded by celebrating teammates, the Arsenal midfielder raised his hands in an apologetic gesture, a move that reflected the complex emotions tied to his international journey.

Rice’s goal came nearly five years after he made the significant decision to switch his international allegiance from Ireland to England in February 2019. Before that, he had represented Ireland in three friendly matches but chose to decline further call-ups, opting instead to pursue a career with the Three Lions. This decision allowed him to participate in two European Championship finals and a World Cup quarter-final—opportunities that likely wouldn’t have been available to him had he stayed with Ireland.

After the match, Rice explained why he refrained from celebrating his goal against the nation he once represented. He shared that his decision was deeply personal, rooted in his family ties. “It was an amazing feeling to score, but I was never going to celebrate,” Rice told beIN Sports.

He added that his late Irish grandparents played a significant role in his muted reaction. “I think it would have been disrespectful to them if I celebrated. My dad was also in the stands, so it was important for me to honor my family’s Irish heritage.”

In contrast, Rice’s England teammate, Jack Grealish, who also switched allegiances from Ireland to England, celebrated his goal with enthusiasm. Grealish, who previously represented Ireland at various youth levels, seemed unbothered by the potential backlash, drawing a stark contrast between the two players’ approaches to the situation.

Throughout the match, both Rice and Grealish faced hostility from Irish supporters, who expressed their displeasure by booing their every touch and displaying flags portraying Rice as a snake. Despite the cold reception, Rice revealed that he and Grealish hadn’t discussed the reaction they might receive before the game.

Reflecting on the situation, Rice acknowledged that the Irish fans were entitled to feel the way they did. He noted that although the decision to switch allegiances happened years ago, it still resonates with some fans. However, he emphasized that he maintains good relationships with many of the Irish players and holds no ill will towards the fans for their response.