England interim manager Lee Carsley has said that he is not worried about the atmosphere facing Declan Rice and Jack Grealish in Dublin during Saturday’s Nations League fixture against the Republic of Ireland.
Rice and Grealish both represented the Republic of Ireland before switching allegiance to England.
Rice was capped three times at senior level before changing his allegiance in 2019, while Grealish played for the Republic of Ireland up to Under-21 level before opting to represent England in 2015.
“No, not at all,” said Carsley when asked whether he had concerns about playing the pair at the Aviva Stadium given the reception they could receive.
“We spoke — not only about Jack and Declan — to the whole squad. We spoke about the atmosphere we expect it to be: exciting, passionate, loud.
“But it will be no different to what the players are used to in Premier League games or high level games. So I think they’ll be ready for whatever comes out.”
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Carsley was placed in interim charge of England in August as the Football Association continues its search for Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor.
Carsley himself represented the Republic of Ireland during his playing days, earning 40 caps between 1997 and 2009.
He said he would expect a similar reception for himself as Rice and Grealish on Saturday, having seen the squad be greeted by hundreds of schoolchildren when they arrived at their hotel outside Dublin.
“Not sure to be honest, probably the same (reception),” Carsley said. “If the reception we had off the kids outside is anything to go by it will be very positive.
“We had a brilliant reception from the kids outside with their football shirts. The lads went straight over as they got off the coach to go and greet them. you can tell there’s a good atmosphere in terms of the anticipation of the game tomorrow.”
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(Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
