Declan Rice explains the decision not to celebrate after scoring England’s goal against Ireland

Declan Rice has admitted that celebrating his goal against the Republic of Ireland would have been disrespectful to his family.

England registered their first win under interim manager Lee Carsley on Saturday as Arsenal midfielder Rice and Manchester City winger Jack Grealish fired stunning goals past Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher. The Three Lions returned to Dublin with a 2-0 win in their UEFA Nations League opener, but not everyone in the squad was quick to celebrate.

Rice opened the scoring in the 11th minute, blasting a strike into the top corner before receiving a standing ovation from the Irish crowd. After putting his side forward, Rice decided not to celebrate.

“If I celebrated, it would be really disrespectful,” he said Sky Sports News after the victory. “My cousin and my grandfather, my father’s side of the family are all Irish and obviously they’re dead. They’re not here anymore.

“I didn’t want to do that, to be honest with you. I had an amazing time playing for Ireland, even in the first team, U19s, U21s, they were good memories that stay with me. So, look, I don’t have a bad word to say, to be honest with you I wish them the best.”

Rice, who represented Ireland at three youth levels, made three senior team appearances before switching to England. Grealish, who also scored in Saturday’s win, followed a similar path after playing for the nation’s national teams – yet he did not feature at his best for Ireland.

The City star has made a dramatic return to international football after failing to be named in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, admitting there is “no bad blood” after scoring against his home nation.

England will return to action on Tuesday when they face Finland at Wembley Stadium.

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