How should footballers choose which country to represent? | The Debate

SUBSCRIBE ► bit.ly/SSFootba...
Gordon Strachan and Clinton Morrison discussed whether Declan Rice - and others - should switch nationalities on The Debate.
The West Ham defender has played three times for the Republic of Ireland national side but withdrew from their squad to face Wales and Poland last week to consider whether he wanted to represent England instead.
The move would utilise a loophole whereby players who have only earned senior caps outside competitive games can switch allegiances, and for Rice, it would allow him to represent the country of his birth.
Watch Premier League LIVE on Sky Sports here ► bit.ly/WatchSkyPL
►TWITTER: / skysportsfootball
►FACEBOOK: / skysports
►WEBSITE: www.skysports.c...
►SOCCER AM: bit.ly/SoccerAMSub
►SKY SPORTS BOXING: bit.ly/SSBoxingSub

[@KerryTom1]

"There are young Irish kids playing well that deserve and would appreciate an Irish cap more than I would. I played through all the age groups as a youth international (with England), went to tournaments and sang the national anthem. But obviously I’ve never got a senior cap. So for me to turn up to play for Ireland without it having been a dream of mine, and there’s an Irish kid out there who might miss out when it’s their dream to play for Ireland. I couldn’t do that." Mark Nobel.

[@ryandeane427]

Noble is in his name ffs.... AND IM A MILLWALL FAN LIKE

[@andrewclavin7447]

how many england caps?? he might have got 5 caps like harry arter

[@09stevebull]

The Irish team is like the England b team. Better than England under Jack charlton bitd

[@abhouston1]

A Scotsman, an Englishman, a Welshman, and an Irishman enter a debate.

[@unstoppableExodia]

As far as the Irish FA is concerned Clinton Morrison is as Irish as a four leaf clover on a Blarney Stone

[@unstoppableExodia]

EMB 2017 that's why I qualified my statement by saying as far as the Irish FA is concerned. I'm guessing Mr Morrison was born in England and has some Irish ancestry that made him eligible?

[@vinayn9110]

@@LeMerch He is probably from South London, not Southern Ireland.

[@tommyocallaghan4593]

@@LeMerch embarrassing

[@burhaanrahman5712]

@StevePeeve how do you know if their great great grandparents aren't from germany/any other white country

[@goattm2]

I love Morrisons enthusiasm about playing for Ireland.

[@UpTheArgyle]

About as Irish as not blowing up cars

[@KingEire]

@@UpTheArgyle and about as english as not being a colonial genocidal slave trading supporting bunch of racists and bigots 😂😂 Happy Christmas Hun

[@UpTheArgyle]

@@KingEire someone’s jealous because they spent 800 years underneath the boots of her majesty’s kingdom. Merry Christmas 🤣🤣

[@UpTheArgyle]

@@KingEire everybody colonised( bar your pathetic people) it’s just we were the greatest of it. British and proud

[@KingEire]

@@UpTheArgyle jealous 😂😂 na kid. I've taking my jealousy 😂😂/anger out on yee for years on holidays. Now I just laugh at the stupidity of hating people who are beneath me. Although Liverpool and Manchester are brilliant places to be. Seriously though I read that shits getting difficult with Covid. I hope you and yours are good and have a brilliant Christmas. Stay safe kid.

[@dashercronin]

Gordon Strachan got it right. Its how you feel that matters. Strachan was asked years ago if he would apply for the England coaching job that had just become vacant. He said no, he was Scottish and couldn't countenance coaching England. The interviewer then asked: "If you were English, would you take the job?" He replied: "If I were English, I would top myself!"

[@nigefal]

Strachan is the same fella who went mad when McGeady chose Ireland ahead of Scotland.....

[@93RubixCube]

Imagine if a young English player had 3 caps, man of the match twice. A key part of their squad and he was approached by the manager of France or Belgium and was told maybe if you keep progressing we'd love to have you on board. On top of that his club chairman is chimming in bigging up his future. The English media would be outraged, accusing people of tapping him up saying he's already an English player.

[@cillian5304]

@iDontDoXboxLive I mean this is Zaha hes as un enlglish as they come he has his whole family in Ivory Coast no connections to England and has decided he wants to go play for a worse team to represent his country however Rices parentage is of Irish Decent

[@cillian5304]

@iDontDoXboxLive fair i feel like if you decide to play for a country it should be seen as an honour not a stepping stone is just how I feel

[@cillianodonovan9621]

@@cillian5304 wow I found someone with the same name as me

[@DmReddd24]

I’m mixed heritage and you can definitely be proud of both parts. Think once you’ve picked a side you’ve gotta stick with it though

[@bentuber1]

Clinton Morrison always gave 100% for Ireland. Proper player, always honest. Thanks for your service Clinton

[@djelalniyazi4090]

was clintons mother or grandmother irish

[@cassiemc1203]

@@djelalniyazi4090 grandmother i think, he played for ireland, but mostly he felt irish

[@craigobrien7799]

Absolutely love Clinton's passion to play for Ireland.

[@wiliamharri3947]

IMO if he played for Ireland even in a frendley he should play for Ireland (from a welsh person)

[@colmfarrel4742]

@#Westy16 Agreed I'm Irish and would have no problem with him choosing to play for England. However, if that was his desire he should never have put on our shirt and wasted game time for other young players.

[@andrewjoyce9038]

Says the welsh who nick every english kid then cap them before they change their mind

[@peterwilson7288]

Andrew Joyce uve took every good player from us stfu we can’t have anything because of u posh twats

[@Lordofrings-p1d]

@@peterwilson7288 who have we taken of you? you got no one worth nicking, you wet wipe. only players that would get into the England squad from the past 20 years would be Giggs and Bale, Ramsey would be there or there abouts if he wasn't made of glass. so sit down, and shut up.

[@peterwilson7288]

@@Lordofrings-p1d lad we had rice grealish Micheal keane and Kane all taken from our underage or overage squad

[@Animo84]

Declan Rice (born 14 January 1999) is a snake that was kicked out of Ireland by St. Patrick, once in England he became bipedal and then reverted back to snake form, he also punched a baby seal and robbed our potatoes professional footballer who plays as a centre back or defensive midfielder for Premier League club West Ham United. He represented the Republic of Ireland at several levels until deciding in 2019 to represent England. On the 13th Of March 2019, Rice received his first call up for the England National Team ahead of their Euro 2020 Qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro. Declan Rice has also stated that he is ready to represent Brazil should England not win any major silverware. He will then be known as Declinho and if Brazil should not do well he will switch to Netherlands and be called Van Dec. It remains a promise to his mother to represent every FIFA affiliated nation at least once.

[@ziaglos]

😳😱😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@jdog8936]

Salty?

[@Animo84]

J Hammer nope, better off without him

[@Lordofrings-p1d]

St Patrick was English! what you make of that you muppet

[@tortillawrapper5454]

@@Lordofrings-p1d yes he was born in roman britain

[@samuraisoul1043]

Once you put the shirt on you can't change .that should be the rule friendly or qualifier

[@mag-wp6yt]

Precisely.

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

There should be exceptions. Orphans who played at youth level for the country of their adopted parents. They never really got to make a choice at 12 or whatever

[@AlbieLudiScoffi]

No...

[@cillian5304]

@@yourdadhasadogfilter2505 yeah of course I mean orphans are completely different

[@KofiOAgyeman]

Agreed! It’s nonsense that you can represent two different nations at senior level.

[@tankc6474]

He should of not played for ireland in the first place if he want's to play for england now. I can't see into the future but i feel he will get no where near the caps he will for england as he will for ireland. Ireland only want player's who are commited to ireland.

[@brianboru175]

We're crying out for a top defensive midfield player.

[@tankc6474]

@@brianboru175 Ye true but only one that want's to play for us mate

[@brianboru175]

@@tankc6474 Yes but where are they going to come from when Delaney is on more money than the winning earnings of the league here, no interest or money is put towards the league, its a laughing stock by many in this country.

[@tankc6474]

@@brianboru175 I totally agree with you mate, I think we are going to have a bumpy few year's.

[@eirebhoy132]

I’ll take a few bad years, don’t want this prick anywhere near the Ireland squad far more deserving players who would give anything to wear that jersey, anyone who gives playing for England a single thought isn’t fit to wear the jersey

[@richporter893]

declan rice had tears in his eyes singing the irish national anthem? thats changed my perspective and opinion on this completely, if he rejects ireland then its only cos of the money and commercial value for him simple as

[@colmfarrel4742]

Apparently, his agent is in his ear.

[@rossg9361]

Nonsense, Rice is English.

[@colmfarrel4742]

@@rossg9361 It's not nonsense it's facts he was belting out the national anthem and was kissing the badge. Then his agent gets in his ear about marketability and he suddenly has a change of heart.

[@antseanbheanbocht4993]

@@colmfarrel4742 Who's his agent, Tom Tum?

[@colmfarrel4742]

@@antseanbheanbocht4993 Neil Fewings.

[@thompson223]

You guys need to have Gordon Strachan on this more often, the man absolutely knows what he's talking about. Helps that he's from my city too!

[@joebloggs416]

Basically if they're not good enough to get in the England squad they can be tempted to become Irish, Scottish or even Welsh lol

[@cashewpistachio1826]

That's a bloody good point

[@mendrajewaru8175]

For sure 😃😃

[@nigefal]

That is the realith the same way that some players play for Northern Ireland if they are not good enough to get into the Republic of Ireland team.

[@trtvitor1385]

@Gruagach. Eire bit sour there mate. England are the only international side in the UK that aren't shite. Don't see what the population of Italy Or Germany (which is higher btw) has to do with that. Low IQ troglodyte.

[@juicy4083]

Wales made the Euro 2016 Semi-final, and they are a tiny nation of 3million. Hardly shite.

[@bullet2852]

The amount of hate Dele Alli and Tammy Abraham got from Nigerians was over the top, they were both born and bred in England.

[@eldio2124]

Bullet 285 you should still play for the county your parents are from. If you have any pride about your identity you would play for your parents country and help them be great.

[@leonlevels7447]

Dele Ali is British and so is he's mother, only hes dad is a nigerian

[@eldio2124]

Joe Brooks I’m not talking about alli you moron. I’m referring to Tammy Abraham you mong. Alli is mixed race

[@tottenhamhotspurish]

JD 1 - Delli’s Mum is English and his Dad abandoned him. Delle should play and does for England. You should play for Country where your heart is. Delle is an Englishman!

[@unlockedaccount]

James Celts but if a black player plays for sweden you guys have an issue?

[@tonnaboy10]

David Brooks said he always wanted to play for Wales and his Welsh mother cried with pride when he made his debut

[@andrewjoyce9038]

Of course she did

[@Finlan_32]

Clinton Morrison = Michael Collins 100% legitimate.

[@charliewright4044]

Most of Scotland, Wales and Ireland's players only declared for them because they're not good enough for England let's be honest here. Over half of the Welsh squad were born and bred in England ffs

[@andrewjoyce9038]

Most of Wales squad was born AND raised in England

[@andrewclavin7447]

sterling born in jamaica you clown.half the england squad are immigrants..or sons of immigrants.

[@nickmc1142]

Most Scotland players were born and raised in Scotland.

[@taffyducks544]

Gordon is spot on - do you feel English, Welsh, Scottish or Irish. If they can qualify through ancestry and they feel a connection to that nation then they can play for that Nation. This is why it's more than exceptable for the Welsh players who were some born in England (with Welsh ancestry) to play for Wales. Although he isn't right on the entire world wanting to be Irish! I wouldn't be for all the money in the world. Why is it not acceptable for those with ancestry from these countries to play for them. Yet it's okay for sons of immigrants to?

[@donalcorley8151]

Nada Barton hold tf up whats the problem with ireland

[@johndoughnut8617]

FairPlay to Séamus Coleman, Great Captain!

[@ellanulty5936]

The Irish Lad Personally I'm disappointed in Coleman, it's all very well as captain projecting a united front, but he's also making himself look silly, I would like to see him make his argument for Rice in the Pubs of Glenties , Carndonagh, Letterkenny etc he'll soon find out this ain't no grey area. He would have gained more respect by telling the truth, which is if you don't know your Irish, fleck off & play in the same England team as Grealish.

[@unstoppableExodia]

If only his surname was o'reilly the most Irish of all surnames

[@hamzajamal4450]

Hi People Strolling Down!!! Have a nice Day :)

[@tottenhamhotspurish]

Hamza Jamal - Nice 👍 You have a good day too.

[@Dessienewshoes]

Thanks mate.

[@bri_____]

U too bro

[@jagadish20091]

hello!

[@JustinMurray170fin]

No mention of his (Rice's) new agent or the fact he's also currently negotiating a new contract at club level... Way to research lads.

[@iamlat3_96]

It's the same thing with Carl Jenkinson few years ago. He was promising young player for Charlton then moved to Arsenal, was finnish u21-international. He was very promising right-back at the time and made very good progress on loan at West Ham. Then Woy Hodgson called him to England senior squad, played one game for England and not played for England ever since. In Finland national team he would be first choice right back. There you go. I'm not sayin that Jenkinson is better than Rice but he's not even in West Ham's starting eleven.

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

Players are wising up to these hoarding tactics imo. Zaha for example

[@crashfan9997]

@@yourdadhasadogfilter2505 Ironically the thing is Zaha would easily get into the England side.

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

@@crashfan9997 He would now but he was a bit of a late bloomer. Mahrez was as well. (I know he promised his dad he would play for Algeria but if he was a teen prodigy France would have tried harder)

[@trevorfromengland]

Wherever his heart is......which is probably Ireland. It's nobody's business but Declan's - good luck to the lad

[@adlofheltirchiefadvisortot40]

i hope the roy keane/ martin o'neill bad cop good cop thing works out... if playing for ireland feels like a "chore" or a duty.. instead of something to be proud of and excited about.. and you have dual nationality.. it makes sense to go where you feel wanted

[@callumbliss3731]

These debates are getting worse and worse

[@brianboru175]

Gerrard slipped

[@tottenhamhotspurish]

Gerry Adams - 😂🤣

[@tottenhamhotspurish]

Gerry Adams - Henry did a beautiful hand ball... DM

[@richporter893]

honestly, quality over quantity sky sports ffs!

[@callumbliss3731]

I know mate

[@matthewhardwick8208]

I actually know this guy and hope that he plays for England but that is entirely down to him. He's matured so much and seeing him progress to this level is exciting to watch. I can see the hunger he has to play football

[@mosesjuice2]

As an Irish man I think he should declare for England. The fact he feels there is a decision to make after appearing 3 times for us is enough for me to say thanks but no thanks. Just hope he apologizes for taking caps off players who are committed to Ireland

[@Insertnamehere287]

Declan rice has chosen England for the "sporting aspect" as karim benzema would put it. The more glamorous the country you play for, the bigger chance you get of playing for bigger club teams/bigger wages. He should never have played for Ireland in the first place.

[@brianboru175]

Nonsense.

[@Nemophilist850]

Sure, nothing to do with the fact that he was born and raised in England to parents that were both born and raised in England.

[@MrGts92]

@@Nemophilist850 then why play for Ireland if he "feels" so English.

[@MrGts92]

@@brianboru175 yet you can't discredit what the guy says

[@MrGts92]

That's exactly it. What the pair below don't get it, if he felt that English, he wouldn't have played for Ireland in the first place. He's only considering England now because they're a bigger nation in footballing terms. But sure isn't for the love of the country. There might be some love but we all know it's more political.

[@iphoneemail9404]

Err... shouldn’t the title be “Which team should Declan Rice struggle to get into: England or Ireland?”

[@TomBartram-b1c]

Wales are happy to have Robson Kanu but if Bale had pulled on the white shirt based on one g/parent the Welsh fans would hate him. Guaranteed.

[@samrowe8752]

I tell you what, Coleman is one of the most level headed players I’ve ever seen. Everything he does earns respect from others, top pro

[@danked6731]

If England didn't cripple Ireland throughout the years so many people like Rices parents wouldn't had to look elsewhere to find a better life it's that simple.....

[@AbuTaher-sz2bz]

What?

[@andrewjoyce9038]

Rice's parents are English

[@AlexGrtner]

Choose the country you'll get the most play time at.

[@MrGts92]

It shouldn't be a debate. Ryce felt Ireland was good enough for him when England weren't interested. But wants to potentially move because of HIS football politics. Ireland should just shut the door. Don't mug off an association, being patriotic for one country and then leave said country for another for footballing gains.

[@brendanmurtagh6419]

If he wanted to play for Ireland it shouldn't take this long to decide

[@siddyfisher1765]

I would recommend people listen to Off the Ball instead of these clowns with this conversation. Actually makes sense and there's an actual debate. Declan Rice has been pathetic is my conclusion

[@pipbeale]

What's off the ball? A podcast? I find the subject really interesting.

[@adlofheltirchiefadvisortot40]

Siddy Fisher 1:25 when gordan started talking made me dismiss your comment

[@sashman02]

@@pipbeale it's an Irish sports radio show, but they're streamed here on KZbin too.

[@kevinprior3549]

Grealish and Rice play for their actual countries for once. English players playing for England as it should be. Far too many English people have played for Ireland cos they worn green at any part of their careers. Morrison is obviously a perfect example.

[@cilliangallogly1592]

Completely agree with English lads like grealish & rice playing for England. No hard feelings on grealish, would love it if he was playing for Ireland but he only played youth level/u21. The issue with rice is that he played senior caps for Ireland, he should be able to either decline or play for Ireland & not be indecisive. The one argument that could be had is that some English may not be good enough for England and therefore play for Ireland in order to have a chance at international football. But also, a lot of English have massive family ties to Ireland and therefore may identify as Irish - kilbane an example of that (declining youth level English call up). The rules should be changed for internationals whereby you play any senior cap, you can’t switch

[@brooklyniron1999]

Agree. It’s a case of salty 🍇 when the rule (which applies to everyone) does not actually benefit the smaller nations.

[@Malky24]

Ikechi Anya is actually Scottish-born tho, what's Gordon using him as an example for?

[@oliverdunn5489]

He grew up in England, to Romanian and Nigerian parents.

[@ayaanibrar5067]

England: lots of media attention, mostly negativity but gets to play in major tournaments but win nothing. Can't enjoy life Ireland: no media coverage, no expectation and very difficult for team to qualify for major tournaments but can enjoy life.

[@conallmckendry4696]

Also Ireland have way better fans

[@conallmckendry4696]

@@grazianoetiene8219 Don't remember who but a really big English player said nobody enjoyed playing for England

[@grazianoetiene8219]

+Toaster 4 Sale well everyone was happy at the world cup and now it is clear, just keep hating on England it's fine

[@richhawkes6289]

Toaster 4 Sale are u demented England have the best fans in the world and I’m half Irish

[@joegilbert3149]

Maybe because in the past we have been terrible, If Ireland had the population of England they would be the same, in the world cup are fans were crazy and all happy even when we lost.

[@unstoppableExodia]

It's worth noting that Lionel Messi could have easily got Spanish citizenship by virtue of having been a permanent resident during his la masia days. He could have been part of that World Cup winning team in 2010 or he could have won it four years ago with some better luck against deutcheland 😢 Barring an Argentine miracle in 2020 he'll go down in history as the greatest player to have never won a World Cup 😢 At least he'll be revered in his homeland when he hangs up his boots from r all the times he'd gotten the albiceleste to the brink of major trophies.

[@redhotmariana56]

Vim do futuro dizer que ele ganhou a copa ❤❤

[@prateeksahoo10]

wow the same thing happened with Ozil in 2009. he could have played for germany or turkey and everyone was abusing him. the germans were saying he wasn't really german even though he was born and raised there and the turks said he was a traitor for choosing germany.

[@coreyowen_2318]

I'm a quarter Irish and a quarter Italian but I'm English and proud.

[@joehouston2833]

Eww

[@grazianoetiene8219]

same I'm half Italian a quarter from Bangladesh and a quarter eniglsh but if get to choose who to play to, no doubt England

[@grazianoetiene8219]

same I am half Italian a quarter English and a quarter from Bangladesh but if I got to choose, no doubt England

[@bentuber1]

"Ryan Giggs leading yea" What a joke!!. How could anybody trust a word out of his mouth? Despicable human being. End of.

[@kevinprior3549]

Giggs seemed to care more playing for Man Utd than playing for Wales.

[@Animo84]

Jack Collison looks like he is related to Harry Kane.

[@Shenanigan5]

Grealish cant play for Ireland now, Fifa only allow a one off change and he swapped from Ireland to England and then England never capped him.

[@mmw4990]

That's bollox if he's never been capped for either... That makes no sense😂😂

[@Shenanigan5]

@@mmw4990If a player plays at under 21 level internationaly then they are registered by Fifa as declaring for that nation. The rules state that if a player hasn't played a full competitve international cap he is allowed a one off change of association. Grealish played U21 for Ireland but never played a full competitve cap so he was allowed to change and declare for England. As he has used up his one off change of association he is now tied to England for the rest of his career whether they pick him or not. The same applies to Declan Rice should he declare for England, he can never go back and will be tied to England should they ever play him or not. The rule.... "If a player has more than one nationality, or if a player acquires a new nationality, or if a player is eligible to play for several representative teams due to nationality, he may, only once, request to change the Association for which he is eligible to play international matches to the Association of another country of which he holds nationality. That is conditional on the player not having represented his former country in a competitive senior match."

[@mmw4990]

@@Shenanigan5 ah ok fair enough. But he obviously didn't request that change if the debate is still going on..?

[@Shenanigan5]

@@mmw4990No, Rice hasn't declared for England yet but Grealish did. Rice can stay with Ireland if he wants but Grealish is now tied to England regardless.

[@charliejeal7199]

Playing for a country is earned. You can always take the easy way out and play for a country like Ireland who’ll never go anywhere (no offence). Or you can push yourself to want to be good enough to play in a World Cup.

[@laurensmallett3911]

great fun, but I kinda think Gordon Strachan has the most honest opinion

[@heftyalan1152]

The longer this goes on the more negative press he is receiving from Ireland. I will be surprised if he chooses Ireland now due to these comments. In '94 most of the squad was English so I don't see the issue.

[@thefatcontroller7443]

England have a better team but like imagine playing in front of those Irish fans.

[@4exgold]

Coleman's right. he's still just a kid really, you cant blame the lad if his head has been turned by the chance of playing for England where he grew up. There have been loads of ROI players who have felt an affinity for both countries in some way (i.e. their parents/grandparents were Irish but they themselves were born and raised in the UK somewhere). I'd love to see him opt for Ireland but if not, well that's his choice and Irish fans shouldnt be bitter.

[@colmfarrel4742]

That's different if he felt an affinity for both countries he should have come out and said that before it blew up.

[@jayb2175]

England weren't calling Clinton up for u21s 😂🤦‍♂️

[@thebigcarrot5947]

Its disgusting how these 3 are actually letting players chose due to wealth. If you choose money over country you should he exported. And also Clinton O'Morrison is a legend

[@lfcspectre4335]

Don't forget Declan Rice played 3 friendly games for Ireland already and now looking for England team turning his back to us. Well do one wasting our time the hard work from our coach's which we have done for him in youth level in international. There is young lad's in Irish youth team's hope they can wear famous green kit one day and here's player who thinks he's big man.

[@brianboru175]

👍

[@brianboru175]

The league isn't taken seriously in this country, fai don't care.

[@lfcspectre4335]

Gerry Adams FAI should take it seriously. What's point helping these kind of kid's in youth international set up and then do one I hate that in a passion.

[@jasonsender6568]

“Famous” green kit? Deluded

[@colmfarrel4742]

@@jasonsender6568 It is to us it means a lot I would give my left nut to play for Ireland. If you're not Irish you don't understand what it means for young Irish players to play for Ireland.

[@stewarthills9344]

You’ve gotta feel like your from the country. Very much so. You have to be on the pitch wanting to win for YOUR country.

[@holmbjerg]

Choose the team where you'll be fairly certain you would be called up to on a regular basis, unless you clearly identify more with another country.

[@edwardhayes5837]

Whatever country you were born in you play for .............simple

[@RyanR_27]

Just because you were born in England, doesn't make you English. It happens a lot (say for instance the French national team) but it doesn't make it right.

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

People only say this about non white players though. I never hear this about South Africa, Australia, USA, Canada etc

[@grazianoetiene8219]

yh but those players feel elegance to France due to them being produced in France and French academies

[@AlexOjideagu2]

If you are born in England and want to be English you are English

[@craigleith100]

This just confirms my belief that International football should be scrapped 😞 we now have teams were most of the players are from somewhere else ffs, if you or at least 1 of your parents were not born in the country then forget it! Its a bloody joke nowadays Ive been to Spain 7 times as a kid so i want to play for Spain,obvs 😮🙋

[@alexojideagu]

This rule has literally existed for decades that if your grand mother is from a country you can play for them. Ireland exploited this throughout the 1990's and 2000's.

[@djelalniyazi4090]

yeah but declan rice is more english than irish , come on just because he has a grandparent thats irish thats going back too far

[@oog2370]

Don't think its going back too far however I do agree he is more English. But cmon tbf he kissed our badge and sang Amhrán na bhFiann. Definition of a snake

[@EllieA22]

his family is irish and his dad was disappointed he chose england. kasper schmichael grew up in england and still plays for denmark.

[@brianboru175]

Declan rice will play for Ireland if he has any sense, attractive football, top top players, success at major tournaments etc. Ignore the fools at west ham. Poor mans Millwall.

[@aamir_7027]

Attractive football? Top top players? Success at major tournaments? OK...

[@darreng238]

Gerry Adams man I hope ur messing when u say Walters is better than Kane

[@maartendeceulaer7432]

@@brianboru175 hahahahaha youve got to be joking every player you named is worse

[@ja1295]

@@brianboru175 cant forget Arter and Brady

[@brianboru175]

@@ja1295 Just examples there.

[@paul5899]

Always annoyed me as a Scot with Irish roots that McGeady who was born and raised in Scotland chose Ireland not gonna lie.

[@danked6731]

Always annoyed me when the Scots prods settled and took over the north and never left not gonna lie.

[@greatone7314]

Count your blessings, he pulled up no tree's for Ireland

[@dazza4345]

its great to see Clinton upbeat but people in Ireland are embarrassed about the team that represents them.Better off in Poland friendly is cancelled before they let in another four or five goals.

[@dazza4345]

great quote there from Gordon!

[@bentuber1]

CLINTON Morrison. Thank you very much

[@alexandermoonen6170]

Best program! Great to watch better than title race or Spurs or any other teams whatever you know who is going to win we can discuss this all day long but this is much better debate is exactly what we want this is what we want to see.

[@alexandermoonen6170]

I think when you’re born and raised in your own country, you should play in your own country, you can be a good pro,you can improve your own game and performance as well of course.The problem is in Ireland is they’re so much English born players who are qualifying to play for Ireland,they all want to play for Ireland because they feel that they’re good enough to represent the country,we’ve been talking regarding for years,but I’ don’t think it won’t be last,it remains forever,players who are eligible to play for Ireland,they can play whatever they want to do you know,the granny rule,eligible will not be dropped or deleted. What a nice debate.

[@starman633]

the rule should be this: only those with the passport of that state can play in the national team.

[@ThaEzioAuditore]

You can have many

[@ruairiose7335]

It must've be well awkward for Morrison when Gordon Strachan made his comments. Morrison is as Irish as I am Dutch.

[@dazza4345]

it wasn't one game it was three.

[@nickmc1142]

I don't believe Clinton Morrison. My grandmother was English but at no point would I ever try and kid myself that I'd rather play for England than Scotland.

[@oog2370]

Yer not Clinton Morriston though

[@donner101]

I am 50 and still want to play for Scotland. Born there and grew up in England.

[@brendanclarke8393]

Well said Clinton always playing with a smile loved Ireland 🇮🇪

[@philipcollier263]

Maybe he should just play for the country that he feels most affinity with. Just a thought.

[@billkeane528]

if only we fought over football and nothing else

[@marcwareham9351]

If he feels he’s good enough to play for England then he should choose England.

[@tonypower9315]

It's typical of the English camp. Where the fk were their scouts when the Irish already spotted him. Now he looks half decent they want him back. The English national side smack of Chelsea and man city who buy everyone sit their arses on the bench or never playing just to stop them playing for someone else. He should stay with Ireland. They put themselves out for him, and at least he will play. England will play him a few times and then dump him on the side. Either way he will win fk all with any of the home nations anyway. But Gordon it is right in its how he feels.

[@FannyShmellar]

Tony Power The kid is 100% English and a talented footballer, why would we not be looking at him ? He’s not Irish, fact.

[@KnavishDave]

Whoever he wants. Look at englands squad, anyone from anywhere can play for us :D

[@colmfarrel4742]

@HerrNilssonTheMonkey I thought Sterling was Jamaican?

[@KnavishDave]

@HerrNilssonTheMonkey you are dumb. If you want to suck on the big brown fallace that is multiculturalism, thats one thing. Lets not beat around the bush here, England would let anyone of any race from any nation play for their team. Proof is in the pudding

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

Almost all England's players are born and raised there. There are no Eduardos for example (Brazilian, moved to Croatia at 15). Even Zaha, who was born in the Ivory Coast, moved to England when he was 4, so it's not the same

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

@Forward To The Past It's their hypocrisy that I find annoying tbh. They want everyone gone - fine. But at the same time they'll support something like Apartheid and tell you that white people are Native South Africans and deserve to mistreat the locals

[@jordenvan8057]

This is what’s wrong Wrong with England, players have couple good games for a lower club and they think they have the quality’s to play for the county. There are s lot more more people who proved there worth that haven’t even had a international cap than these bloke.

[@djelalniyazi4090]

they should only go back as far as having parents from a nother nation not all the way to grandparents

[@joemccready801]

The fella has just gone to a european final 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@deaneireann4769]

Ireland need players that desperately want to play for them. All our best players were born here.

[@200swilson]

Completely understand that but what about the 1990 World Cup? Half of that 22 man squad were born in England but that is arguably the greatest Ireland team ever making the World Cup Quarter finals (Chris Morris, John Aldridge, Tony Cascarino, Andy Townsend, Chris Hughton, Mick McCarthy, John Sheridan, David Kelly, John Byrne, Alan McLoughlin, Gerry Peyton) and they clearly all had the passion and belief that they were Irish. Think Strachan is right.

[@fitzerelli1]

If you cheer for a team when they play that's the team you should play for simple

[@tc2813]

I understand he ia young and has probably had people in his ear but its clear England is his first choice. We would have loved him at Ireland but I would rather a player who is not as talented as rice but who wants to play for Ireland to play. I wonder if we had qualified for the world cup would he have played

[@Dakeryas95]

Once you take part in a match you should not be able to change nationality. Declan Rice is an utter disgrace

[@FozzQuaker]

At one time in the late 80's and early 90's drinking 1 Pint of Guinness and Ownership of an Irish Wolfhound was all you needed to be eligible to play for the Republic if Ireland

[@snowman01]

Gordon Strachan nails it

[@hussainzakir1]

The English FA Youth teams are allowing foreigners come & take national team places which belong to actual Englishmen, only for them to swap alliances. They have taken an opportunity from someone who'd give a leg to be in the U21s. It is selfish.

[@jackgower3606]

Once you put on a shirt for a nation, even at kid level, that should be it. In my opinion obviously

[@Bassetvids]

If only Rice had spoken with Clinton .... Crying singing The Soldiers Song and then choosing England.... Love Deca's at ours ⚒️ but he' would've kept his integrity if he kept on at Ireland, he'd have been an absolute star...with England he'll just be another number in the squad.... Big up Clinton....top draw

[@DarkArterialGore]

Any time I've seen Rice play for West Ham he's made a ton of mistakes so I'm not sure what the fuss is about.

[@MrGts92]

Young player makes tonnes of mistake...well I never(!)

[@CockneyCapo]

Should've seen him against Chelsea the weekend gone, made a £50m Jorginho look pretty standard. And Kept Edin Hazard in his back canister all game.

[@Joe_Doherty_]

Imo you shouldn't be able to switch even from youth level. If you play let's say under 15s of Hungary, you cannot switch your national team

[@jacoborjbob530]

Who's here after che Adams choose Scotland

[@richporter893]

morrison is talking as if he would even have got anywhwere near the england senior team lol give it a rest

[@mediacenterman8583]

It's not whether he could have got anywhere. It's if he would have been locked into the England set up after one cap.

[@FuckFeminists]

Exactly! 'I could have played for England'. In 2001? No you bloody couldnt!! XD

[@sashman02]

He said England under 21's and Jamaica.

[@grimekitty3381]

Don't forget that Clinton Morrison was a top prospect in his day. His first couple of seasons at Crystal Palace he was a sensation.

[@3storiesUp]

He mentioned the under 21's you muppet.

[@tomgarb6302]

If he wants to play, Ireland. If he wants any chance of winning anything then engerland

[@colmfarrel4742]

That's not how it should work where does his heart lie?

[@danwalsh4988]

England has a huge amount of people that have Irish links but they could have an Irish surname and Irish parents but there are still a large amount of Irish people that would never accept them! But someone that has no racial or cultural links to Ireland that moves over there and has an Irish accent will be accepted, it's so odd in Ireland how it works but with sport it's different they accept anyone that wants to play for them hence why they have Kiwi players in their rugby team.

[@ahmademil2611]

Why play for Ireland in the first place if he wanted to go on and play for England? Why bother putting on the shirt and singing the national anthem 3 times? Probably wouldn’t get into England’s squad realistically.

[@finney932]

Hes already got caps for Ireland so surely he wouldnt be able play for England now?

[@finney932]

He played in a competitive qualifying game for Ireland against Austria...

[@mmw4990]

@@finney932 no he didn't

[@StuartGarlick]

When Jack Collison sucks through his teeth, buildings shake at their foundations.

[@mmw4990]

Strachan is spot on

[@danielcosgrave7987]

Clinton Morrison Irish Legend!

[@jakiechoudhury775]

Lol so cringe worthy Clinton Morrison saying "we" when referring to Ireland! I wish he was honest and said I couldn't make the England team so I chose Ireland!

[@colmfarrel4742]

What he's saying isn't a lie he loved his time in the Ireland team and had a laugh. Meanwhile, across the water England players have been hammered over the last decade by the media.

[@jakiechoudhury775]

Not disagreeing with your point about team spirit in Ireland camp and the English toxic media but cmon he's as much Irish as Steven Gerrard! And if Sven did call him up he would of took it!

[@colmfarrel4742]

@@jakiechoudhury775 I don't deny that but I'm sure when he pulled on that green shirt he was proud of his Irish genes his nan gave him. I don't disagree with the Sven part. My point was he clearly loved his time at Ireland and would probably regard it as one of the best things he's done.

[@pjmcguire3670]

Colm Farrel the Irish media is toxic as well. Dunphy is hardly a beacon of positivity

[@colmfarrel4742]

@@pjmcguire3670 They don't deliberately build up the team to destroy them. Dunphy is only ever honest he never bullshits unlike the British media. When did Dunphy ever criticise a player for where they were born?

[@steve13191]

just pointing out James McClean turned out for Northern Ireland u21, similar to rice situation. if they poached McClean away without complain, why taking the moral high ground and play the victim card now when rice reconsiders his future. I was watching kilbane, Keith Andrews over the other channel and their moral high ground attitude were disgusting

[@mmw4990]

Yeah but that's Kilbane and Andrews... Why are you even listening to their opinion😂😂

[@colmfarrel4742]

McClean always wanted to play for Ireland that's clear. Stop coming off with an example that isn't relevant.

[@MrGts92]

So not for the full N. Irish side?

[@colmfarrel4742]

@@MrGts92 Nope never played for the full team in the North.

[@pjmcguire3670]

steven g McClean admitted to using the Northern Ireland underage teams. He always had no intention of playing senior level. He rejected a call up to the senior team when he was at Derry city when he wasn't even on our radar. That's completely different to the Rice situation where the lad played 3 senior caps and kissed the badge. Fair play to Grealish. At least he never played senior level. He deserves no hate. What Rice did is despicable. I don't want him back

[@RandomnessTube.]

It should on paper come down to the country you're born and raised in full stop however culture and opportunity dictates a players decision these days and likely opportunity more but in my opinion if you don't want to play for my country then you'll never be good enough regardless of ability.