Why I had to stay away — Declan Rice on Ireland

Arsenal’s Declan Rice made a decision to keep his cool after giving England the lead in their 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland yesterday, and his demeanor sparked some curiosity among fans.

However, it is now being revealed that the Arsenal midfielder’s silent celebration carried a deeper, personal significance.

The Arsenal midfielder, unknown to some fans, once wore the Irish green before switching his allegiance to England in 2018. And after scoring for England, Declan Rice chose to go meek with his celebration to honor his roots and family ties rather than bask in the glory of his stunning strike.

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Explaining his choice to raise his hands rather than celebrate, Rice revealed the heartfelt reason behind his restraint. “I have Irish family, and my nan and grandad are no longer here. It would’ve felt disrespectful to them if I celebrated,” he told beIN Sports.

The 25-year-old’s quiet gesture stood in contrast to his teammate Jack Grealish, who celebrated England’s second goal. Despite this, both players, who share an Irish playing history, made it clear they hold no ill will toward Ireland, with Grealish stating, “I have a lot of Irish in my family, so there’s no bad blood.”

For Rice, it wasn’t just about the goal—it was about paying homage to his heritage, and striking a delicate balance between his current loyalties and the legacy of his family. In an age of dramatic goal celebrations, Rice’s gesture stood out as a poignant moment of respect that transcended the game. Was Rice’s non-celebration a powerful tribute or a missed opportunity to fully embrace his England moment?