It was his first appearance on the RTÉ couch during Euro 2024 and James McClean gave a frank assessment on Declan Rice, stating that there is too much hype around the England and Arsenal midfielder.
Of course Rice's name is still a red rag to a bull for some Ireland supporters after he declared for England in 2019, this following a period where he represented Ireland at underage level and played in three friendly games for the senior side.
Rice is now established member of Gareth Southgate's squad and joined Arsenal from West Ham for a fee of £105m (€124m) last summer.
McClean, who was joined by Lisa Fallon and Kevin Doyle as they looked ahead to Wednesday Germany-Hungary clash at the Euros, referred to German attacker Jamal Musiala as a player who "justifies the hype", but then added "but I feel Declan Rice is very overrated".
The Derry native continued: "Don't get me wrong, I think he’s a very good footballer, but the way the English media wax lyrical about him is completely over the top.
"For me, he’s not world class. To me world-class is someone who gets in every side in the world. I don’t think he does that.
"I don't think he gets in the Man City side ahead of Rodri. I know Toni Kross is now retiring, but to me Toni Kroos is world-class. He dictates the game, Rodri dictates the game, I don't think Declan Rice does that.
"He's not someone who is going get on the half-turn and play passes forward. He is very good at what he does."
"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
When it was put to McClean by presenter Joanne Cantwell that Rice is a "different type of player" to Rodri and Kroos, the now Wrexham clubman was still holding Rice to the standards set by the aforementioned.
"They play the same role, so why can't they do the same things? If you're going to give me this much hype and reputation, then surely he should be able to do what they do? That's get the ball on the half-turn, play passes forward, and dictate the play. I don't think he does that.
"He's good at what he does. He sees danger and puts out fires, but for the hype that surrounds him, I don't think it's justified."
Kevin Doyle also had his say on the man who turned down a lengthy career in the green of Ireland.
"He's a poor man's Roy Keane, I suppose. A similar style of play without his intensity and aggression."
