Martin O’Neill has dismissed as “lunacy” suggestions he should have capped teenager Declan Rice in a World Cup qualifier against Moldova to tie him to the Republic of Ireland.
On the eve of Monday night’s final Nations League qualifier against Denmark in Aarhus, O’Neill once again found himself having to defend his handling of the West Ham defender, who is mulling over whether to opt for Ireland or England.
Asked about suggestions that he should have ensured 19-year-old Rice did the same by handing him a cap in a World Cup qualifier against Moldova in October last year, O’Neill reacted angrily.
He said: “I find it incredible to think that I should be thinking about that during a game where we are fighting for our lives and trying to win at home.
“I wouldn’t really have thought through where Declan Rice was in that particular scheme. I don’t know whether he was playing regularly for West Ham at the time – I doubt it.
“We brought him in and he trained with us in the summer time and enjoyed it immensely. He was playing games in friendly matches – but I don’t know whether that was the first thing on my mind versus Moldova.
“To think about putting him on for a couple of minutes just to cap him is crazy, crazy thinking that you should have your mindset on that.
“Secondly – and probably as important – the player would know, so I would say if Declan had thoughts about who he was going to play for, I think that would have reared its head at that particular time.
“To have that criticism directed at you is lunacy, real lunacy. I think that whole situation is absolutely ludicrous.”
It comes as Rice is reportedly a target for Manchester United.
The Daily Star Sunday have claimed that United boss Jose Mourinho wants to take the 19-year-old centre-back to Old Trafford.
The newspaper say United have officially declared an interest in Rice, who has been linked with several other clubs, and suggest Manchester City could also make a move for him.