"He's had a great career" - Arsenal star Declan Rice gives classy response after criticism from ex-teammate over Euro 2024 performances

Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice has responded to criticism from ex-teammate James McClean about his performances at Euro 2024. The former West Ham United midfielder played in the Republic of Ireland youth teams and represented the nation's senior side in three friendly games before switching allegiances to England.

Declan Rice responded to McClean, his former teammate at Ireland, diplomatically. Speaking to TalkSport, the Three Lions midfielder said:

“Do you know what? I played with James for Ireland for three games and I got on with him really well, I am not going to sit here and slag him off. I thought he was a really top guy. When I left Ireland to come to England, I heard a few things he was obviously not happy about. "

The Euro 2024 star continued:

"He made comments a few years ago. It is what it is. I am not going to sit here and say anything about him. He’s had a great career himself - I think he is coming to the end of his career now and he’s got over a hundred caps for Ireland. It would be easy for me to sit here and say something back to him but, like I said, we are at opposite ends of our careers now - he’s 35 and I’m 25. "

Declan Rice concluded, saying:

"I’ve known him, I’ve played with him, he’s entitled to his opinion and I’ve had to fight a load of those opinions from other people before. It might be a bit of bitterness towards me not playing for Ireland but I’ve not got a bad word to say about him, to be honest. I see the comments but I don’t try to put too much energy into it. It is what it is and you move on. You live and learn.”

The Arsenal midfielder is a key part of the England setup, playing 53 times and scoring three goals for the Three Lions. He has represented them at three major tournaments and is currently set to enter the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with England.

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What did James McClean say about Arsenal star, Declan Rice's Euro 2024 performances?

Wrexham midfielder James McClean recently came down hard on Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice. The former Ireland international insisted that Rice was an overhyped player following his sub-par displays at Euro 2024.

Speaking to RTE Sport about the Arsenal star, McClean said:

"I think Declan Rice is very overrated, Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a very good footballer, but the way the English media wax lyrical about him is completely over the top. 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.

"I don't think he gets in the Man City side ahead of Rodri. I know Toni Kroos is now retiring, but to me Toni Kroos is world-class. [Kroos] dictates the game, Rodri dictates the game, I don't think Rice 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."

The Arsenal star will want to improve on his performances with England at Euro 2024 and return home with silverware.