New Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has held a fruitful meeting with Declan Rice in his bid to prevent him switching allegiance to England. McCarthy, accompanied by assistant Robbie Keane, made his case in a sit-down earlier this week in London and will now await an answer from the 19-year-old on his international future. England manager Gareth Southgate had previously invited the Londoner to St George’s Park where the player was presented with video analysis identifying where he could fit into the team. McCarthy is hopeful that it does not come to that, with Rice remaining in the Ireland camp. The midfielder declared for Ireland at 15 through his late grandparents from Co Cork, playing at every underage level and three times for the senior squad…

Source: The Times December 21, 2018 00:11 UTC