Declan Rice is not here, he’s in the England squad so we can’t keep talking about it’ – Ireland focussing on their own game

Declan Rice is not here, he’s in the England squad so we can’t keep talking about it’

Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has insisted that his team must focus on their own game and not worry about the absence of Declan Rice when they face England in a friendly on Thursday night.

Rice, who was born in England but has played for Ireland at international level, has been a key player for the Three Lions in recent years and is expected to start for Gareth Southgate’s side at Wembley.

However, Kenny has made it clear that he is not interested in talking about Rice’s absence and that his team must focus on their own performance.

"Declan Rice is not here, he’s in the England squad so we can’t keep talking about it," Kenny said at a press conference on Wednesday.

‘We have to focus on our own game’

"We have to focus on our own game and what we can do. We have a lot of good players in our squad and we’re confident that we can get a good result."

Ireland have not beaten England since 1988, but Kenny is confident that his team can end that run on Thursday night.

‘We’re confident that we can get a good result’

"We’re going to go out there and give it our best shot," Kenny said. "We’re confident that we can get a good result and we’re looking forward to the game."

Ireland will be without a number of key players for the game, including captain Seamus Coleman, but Kenny is confident that his team can still get a positive result.

"We’re going to have to be at our best, but we’re confident that we can get a good result," Kenny said.