Declan Rice has responded to James McClean's blunt assessment of his capabilities.
Last week, on his first appearance as an RTÉ pundit for Euro 2024, McClean said there is too much hype around the England and Arsenal midfielder, who he described as "not world class" and "overrated".
Rice will be in action for England in their final group game against Slovenia tonight, desperate to deliver a performance that proves they are contenders to win the tournament.
When asked about McClean's comments, The Independent reports Rice as saying: "I played with James for Ireland for three games and I got on with him really well. I am not going to sit here and slag him off.
"I thought he was a really top guy. When I left Ireland to come to England, I heard a few things he was obviously not happy about. He made comments a few years ago.
"It is what it is. I am not going to sit here and say anything about him. He's had a great career himself – I think he is coming to the end of his career now and he’s got over a hundred caps for Ireland.
"It would be easy for me to sit here and say something back to him but, like I said, we are at opposite ends of our careers now – he’s 35 and I’m 25.
"I’ve known him, I’ve played with him, he’s entitled to his opinion and I’ve had to fight a load of those opinions from other people before.
"It might be a bit of bitterness towards me not playing for Ireland but I’ve not got a bad word to say about him, to be honest. I see the comments but I don’t try to put too much energy into it.
"It is what it is and you move on. You live and learn."
Rice also rubbished suggestions England's players are too tired to make their mark at the Euros.
After a narrow victory over Serbia and a 1-1 draw with Denmark, manager Gareth Southgate said his team cannot commit to a pressing game because of their fitness levels.
England's performances, especially against Denmark, have seen Southgate and his players come in for stinging criticism.
Speaking after the game in Frankfurt, Southgate conceded: "We are not pressing well enough, with enough intensity. We have limitations in how we can do that with the physical condition."
Southgate's comments led to plenty of post-match discussion focused specifically on England's lack of press when out of possession.
Rice, though, refuted claims that England's players are exhausted after demanding club campaigns.
"If I wasn't fit enough or the lads weren't fit enough we shouldn't be here in the first place," he said.
"We should be able to compete for seven games, whether they go to extra time, we have got a squad of 26 players that are fit enough, strong enough, fast enough and ready to go the whole way.
"It's ridiculous. Let them keep questioning it. We are built to play these types of seasons.
"Because we are sitting in a low block people automatically assume we are tired and leggy and not fit enough - if we're not fit enough to compete for 90 minutes, we shouldn't be footballers."
"I think Declan Rice is very overrated" - James McClean does not believe the hype around England's midfielder is justified #EURO2024 #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/CGIoXBWWmD
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 19, 2024
England's place in the round of 16 was secured without them kicking a ball on Monday as Albania failed to beat Spain.
Rice admitted he wants England to play with more freedom when they face the Slovenians in Cologne.
"That is what we are all looking forward to doing," he said, speaking before England's last-16 berth was guaranteed.
"Going out there free in a way and perform and show everyone that we can be the team that we are trying to be.
"You see the lads that train and the lads that are expected to win the games for us, they look frightening, they look on it, scoring goals, playing really well and playing with confidence.
"What I mean by playing free is that we have had two games now, first one we won, second one we drew and didn't play our best.
"It is a chance, because we are pretty much qualified, to go out there and just express yourself and have that performance where you can make an impact and get us through top of the group."
Additional reporting: PA
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