‘Declan Rice is not here, he’s in the England squad so we can’t keep talking about it’ – Ireland focusing on their own game (2024)

And the Ireland assistant manager believes that the display by the boys in green under new boss Heimir Hallgrímsson will indicate what direction the Irish side are headed.

Rice could start against Ireland, with whom he won three senior caps after a stint in green at underage level and he’s likely to draw attention from the crowd, along with former Ireland U-21 cap Grealish but Hallgrimsson’s assistant O’Shea says there’s no specific plan to deal with Rice.

“It's a focus on us and the players that are here and the players who want to be here. It's as simple as that.

“He [Rice] is not here, he's in the England squad so we can't keep talking about it,” O’Shea said today before training with a focus on more than Rice in terms of a game-plan.

“You have to curb a lot of England players' impact on the game. When you play a team that has just been in the Euros final, you know they have lots of threats and options to pick from. I think you know that whatever 11 they pick, and the squad of players they have to bring on and change games, it's going to be full focus on our point of view to stop them but, more importantly, what we can do to cause them problems.”

While Ireland have fitness issues of their own - Gavin Bazunu and Josh Cullen both absent – England boss Lee Carsley was forced to rethink his plans as yesterday came news that Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins were out, joining Jude Bellingham on the list of absentees.

"When you see the England squad and the 26 that were picked, obviously there was potential we knew beforehand of lads with little illnesses or niggles and they left themselves a bit of space in terms of the numbers they picked, so they still have some good options to pick from I think so they will be okay," said O’Shea.

“But it's full focus on ourselves. Obviously it brings it into play, maybe some of the younger players they picked in the squad, so it will be interesting to see.”

Interim manager Lee Carsley wanted own stamp on England squad with four maiden senior call-ups

O’Shea says he hasn’t spent much time with former Ireland teammate Carsley of late but the Waterford man admits that the interim England boss can use this window, where he’s been promoted from the U-21s to senior manager on a caretaker basis, to land the job long-term.

“I'm sure he's hoping so. He'll be thinking that he's jumped up from the 21s after being a successful 21s manager, winning the Euros with them. Maybe the people behind the scenes would like to see him continuing that role into the senior one and they have given him that chance.

"But I'm sure there will be a cry out from other names in the public in England as well. As far as we're concerned, it's nothing for us to worry about. Our focus is on the start of the Nations League qualifiers and the manager, Heimir, coming in and that we give him our full backing and support and hopefully get off to a good start,” added O’Shea.

"I haven't spoken to him recently. Obviously a few times going to different games and seeing him over the years at different stages. I think it was my 'A’ licence, he came in and spoke on it as well. As a team-mate and person, any time I see him I always get on well with Lee, or 'Carso' as he's known. It's one of them, it's a different scenario now. I haven't seen him recently but I'm sure there will be a chance to catch up with him on Saturday.

"You know from the fans and players, everyone will know, the manager will know, coming in on the bus to the stadium, the game sold out, the atmosphere and the history around the game. You bring those factors together and it's a brilliant game to be involved in, every player in the squad will want to play and you want a positive outcome from it but ultimately it's a great test of where we are going and where, hopefully, we are going to get to.”