In a match at the Aviva Stadium, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice put England in the lead with a precise shot into the top right corner in the 11th minute. Despite the excitement of scoring, the 25-year-old opted not to celebrate, instead raising both hands in acknowledgment of the Irish fans.
This gesture was significant, as Rice had previously represented the Republic of Ireland in three appearances before switching his international allegiance to England in 2018.
Some fans criticized Rice’s choice to remain subdued, contrasting it with the reaction of former Ireland U21 player Jack Grealish, who did celebrate after scoring England’s second goal. However, Rice later explained his reasons for refraining from celebrating and also turned down the opportunity to captain the England team after Harry Kane was substituted in the 84th minute.
Speaking to beIN Sports, Rice shared his thoughts on the moment. He described the goal as an amazing feeling but emphasized that celebrating would have felt wrong, given his Irish connections. He mentioned that his family has strong Irish roots, and with his late grandparents in mind, he believed that celebrating would be disrespectful.
Additionally, his father was present in the stands, further influencing his decision to stay composed after scoring. For Rice, while the goal was important, his main focus remained on the game, and he hoped to continue contributing to the team’s success. Overall, he viewed the experience positively.
On the other hand, Jack Grealish, who also has a strong Irish background, expressed a similarly respectful sentiment toward Ireland in his post-match interview. Speaking to ITV Sport, Grealish explained that he had no ill feelings toward Ireland and that both he and Rice enjoyed their time playing for the country.
He reflected on his Irish heritage and noted that, for him, there was no bitterness despite his switch to playing for England. He also shared that not being selected for Euro 2024 was a challenging experience but had ultimately strengthened his determination.
Both players, despite their different approaches to celebrating, conveyed a deep respect for their Irish heritage and acknowledged the complexity of their connections to the country while representing England on the international stage.
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