Paul McGrath believes Jack Grealish might regret choosing to declare for England, saying that the Aston Villa midfielder could have been a "top player" for Ireland and might find it hard to break into Roy Hodgson's team.
Grealish announced on Monday that he would seek to represent England at senior international level despite playing for Ireland from under-15 all the way up to under-21.
"Jack's a very young man. He's had a huge decision to make. But I would have opted for Ireland if I was him because I think his chances of getting a regular spot with the England team would be a little more limited," said the 83-time capped McGrath on 2fm's The Nicky Byrne Show.
"That's what they could do. Play him in a couple of games and then he finds that he's shut out a little bit.
"Talented player though he is, at the age he is, he still has a lot to prove.
"Aston Villa haven't been winning games but he's been playing really well and has shown that he has great ability.
"He would have got more regular international football with Ireland and it would have been great if he had picked us."
McGrath is unconvinced by suggestions Grealish could have changed his mind over potential financial benefits but is concerned for the implications for the youngster's international career.
"Deep down he probably does feel he's more English. But he's already played for Ireland underage, which calls into question his reasons for picking England.
"I don't think it could be money because they [players] get paid well enough. Money shouldn't be an issue when you're talking about your country anyway.
"From the point of view of wanting to play international football, and having both Irish and English heritage, I would have thought if you want to play 50 games for your country, Ireland would have been the more natural choice.
"England is going to be much more competitive because of the pool of players that they have to pick from.
"He could have been the top player for Ireland for a number of years.
"It's disappointing but he's only a young kid and he has every right to choose who he wants to play for."
"To be fair to him, I think he believes he's good enough to get a regular place in the England team, otherwise he would have picked Ireland" - Jack Grealish
McGrath also dispelled the suggestion made by RTÉ analyst Eamon Dunphy that Martin O'Neill should have capped the 20-year-old at senior level for Ireland sooner.
"I don't think they could have done any more," said McGrath.
"At the end of the day, it's up to the player himself and his family. He will have discussed it with his father and eventually chose England for whatever reasons.
"To be fair to him, I think he believes he's good enough to get a regular place in the England team, otherwise he would have picked Ireland.
"But he's chosen England now and good luck to him."
