Carsley says he has never sung a national anthem as Republic of Ireland player or England coach and seems set to stick with that stance.
Saturday's Nations League opener marks the start of a new era for both teams, with Heimir Hallgrimsson taking charge of the hosts for the first time against a side starting life without Gareth Southgate.
England's long-serving manager stepped down shortly after July's Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain and Carsley was handed the reins on a temporary basis as the Football Association weighs up its options.
The 50-year-old says the Dublin clash will be a "proud moment for myself and my family", but singing 'God Save the King’ looks out of the question for a player that represented Ireland 40 times as player.
"This is something that I always struggled with when I was playing for Ireland," Birmingham-born Carsley said of anthems.
"The gap between your warm-up, your coming on to the pitch and the delay with the anthems. So it’s something that I have never done.
"I was always really focused on the game and my first actions of the game. I really found that in that period I was wary about my mind wandering off.
"I was really focused on the football and I have taken that in to coaching.
"We had the national anthem with the Under-21s also and I am in a zone at that point.
"I am thinking about how the opposition are going to set up and our first actions within the game.
"I fully respect both anthems and understand how much they mean to both countries. It’s something I am really respectful of."
England manager Lee Carsley expects to face a "highly-motivated, energetic" Irish side at the Aviva Stadium #IRLENG #COYBIG #rtesoccer #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/9pqPNexY97
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 6, 2024
Carsley added that he has no concerns about playing Declan Rice or Jack Grealish at the Aviva Stadium.
Rice won three senior caps for the Boys in Green before switching allegiance to England, shortly after Grealish did the same, having represented Ireland up until under-21 level.
Asked whether he has any concerns about playing them at the Aviva Stadium, Carsley said: "No, not all.
"We spoke - not only (to) Jack and Declan, to the whole squad - we spoke about the atmosphere we expect it to be.
"Exciting, passionate, loud, but it'll be no different to what the players are used to in Premier League games or high-level games. I think they'll be ready for whatever comes out."
Quizzed on what reception he expects back in Ireland, the interim England boss said: "I'm not sure, to be honest. Probably the same.
"But if the reception that we had off the kids outside (the hotel) was anything to go by it will be very positive."
Carsley was in relaxed mood at Carton House where England are based for this match.
He was respectful about Ireland throughout and said he would "calmly enjoy" any late winner at the Aviva Stadium, where he said he feels honoured to be returning as interim England manager.
"Proud," Carsley said of his emotions heading into the game. "It's not something that I thought that much about until recently.
"I think when I saw the draw I obviously was fully focused on the under-21s, and I thought that 'that's going to be a good game'.
"I didn't realise obviously until two weeks ago that I was actually going to be here, so I am excited by it.
"It's not something I'm overawed by. I'm excited with the challenge. I've got a lot of confidence in the players. I think they'll enjoy the atmosphere.
"It's a good game for them to come back to off the back of a big disappointment, so hopefully we can perform."
Lee Carsley recalls an "up and down" playing career with Ireland, a coaching career where he feels "highly supported" - and a "very informal" chat with the FAI on the then vacant Irish post #IRLENG #COYBIG #rtesoccer #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/eMNJ3BSLm7
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 6, 2024
Carsley has a fully-fit squad of 23 players to choose from for the Group B2 clash against an Ireland that he not only represented but could also have coached.
The former midfielder spoke to the FAI about their vacant managerial position, created by Stephen Kenny's departure, a few months after masterminding England Under-21s' European Championship triumph.
"I can't remember the exact timeline but after the after the Euros I sat down with the with the FA's approval to speak to two or three people from different opportunities, just out of respect more than anything," Carsley said.
"Republic of Ireland were one. It was very informal. It went no further and, like say, I'm very lucky and privileged to have the job that I've got, so I knew that going into speaking to anyone."
Additional reporting: PA
Watch Republic of Ireland v England in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday from 4pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
