Mick McCarthy offers Declan Rice midfield role in a bid for Republic of Ireland commitment
The new Boys in Green boss says that Gareth Southgate is planning to play Rice at centre-back - whereas, McCarthy has plans to build the national side around the West Ham ace
MICK McCARTHY has told Declan Rice that he is at the centre of his plans.
McCarthy assured Rice that he would build his Ireland team around him — but revealed that England’s Gareth Southgate sees him as a defensive back-up.
The boss said: “I spoke to Gareth, he saw him as a centre-back. I thought because he’s not playing there at the moment, he wouldn’t be there in front of the ones already in there — plus he’s not been in their youth system and come through like he has with ours.
“I said to him, ‘I’m looking to build a team around him from March onwards’. Are England? I want him playing in the position he is now at West Ham, for now and see where he develops.
“I spoke to him and his Dad for a long time. I spoke to his Dad prior to that. I think he saw himself initially as a centre-half but then he is enjoying midfield.”
West Ham man Rice, 20 on Monday, claimed this week that he will make his mind up “soon” on his international future — and also stated that he now prefers playing in midfield.
McCarthy is hoping that his time coming through the ranks with Ireland, and winning three senior caps, will make him stay with the Boys in Green.
And McCarthy insists he is OK to play the waiting game given there is no red tape to play Rice in the opening Euro 2020 qualifier against Gibraltar in March should he plump for Ireland.
The manager added: “There’s no worries with him. It’s not like we have to change him over from one to the other.
“It’s just down to him if he wants to play for us. I can’t make his mind up.
“He was going to have a chat with his family and give everybody his decision.”