Despite taking pelters from the Ireland crowd during Saturday’s Nations League clash, Declan Rice enjoyed his return to Dublin, departing the Aviva Stadium with a goal, an assist, an England win and a sense that he’s edging closer to full fitness.
After the furore of his red card against Brighton, Rice made more headlines before and after England’s 2-0 victory, breaking the deadlock on 11 minutes before assisting Jack Grealish to kick-start interim head coach Lee Carsley’s time in charge.
Given all three men had previously represented the Boys in Green, it made for a galling afternoon for the home fans.
On his return to the Aviva Stadium, Declan Rice fires @England ahead with a thumping strike 💥
Watch #IREvENG on @ITV pic.twitter.com/yoBbQiDITC
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 7, 2024
While Rice opted not to celebrate his input, he was buzzing at his best performance of the season to date.
“To come here today and just to play and enjoy that environment, I really really enjoyed it and to score and get an assist for Jack as well, I was really really happy,” he told Sky Sports.
“To be honest with you, I’ve not been feeling 100% fit so far, I’ve kind of been doing my pre-season in the Premier League, but today I feel like I took a real step, I could feel it within myself, I was feeling back to myself.
“Feeling springy, feeling like I could run around the pitch, feeling more powerful, so on a personal note it was really good to get that game in today and play 90 because I feel like I took another step which is obviously going to help me at Arsenal.”
Rice will be hoping to get more minutes in his legs when the Three Lions face Finland tomorrow evening. Unfortunately for Arsenal, he’ll then sit out Sunday’s north London derby. Rice will serve a one-game ban for his two yellow cards against Brighton, the second of which was earned in ridiculous circumstances.
Elsewhere, Kai Havertz, who was recently appointed vice-captain of Germany, continues to impress. The striker rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot as his country beat Hungary 5-0. Afterwards head coach Julian Nagelsmann was full of praise for the Gunner.
“Kai has made a big leap forward in the last two years. He has the potential to be world class in many positions,” said Nagelsmann.
“He runs an incredible amount and has become very clever. He sometimes lacks a bit of finishing luck.
“The co-captaincy is good for him. He is a smart person, very reflective. He is very modest. I hope he continues to believe in himself.”
Germany plays Jurrien Timber’s Netherlands tomorrow. The defender returned to international action at the weekend taking to the field as a substitute. In so doing, he and his brother Quinten became the first twins to represent the Dutch since the De Boer brothers.
A long season to go, especially with rubbish internationals such as these thrown in. Let’s hope he can keep his fitness throughout the season, great player!
And Kai is stepping up and improving each season, we need him to perform, especially this Sunday.
For the Netherlands, it was A Tale of Two Timbers.😀
Bosnia and Herzegovina got the Dickens beaten out of them.
His physicality seemed right up there. Surprising (to me), given how little rest he had after the Euros and how he has been struggling in that regard (for him) – Morgan Rogers doesn’t keep running past him when he’s at his peak fitness, playing a high number 8 and Partey’s physical decline notwithstanding. Although his general play has still been very decent. Anyway, easily my motm in the Ire – Eng game. Looks ready again. Good for us. Hopefully he’s raring to go after the NLD. Our midfield needs Declan Rice with his engine near 100% for the Atlanta and… Read more »
Rice really threatened to boil over last weekend. I think he needs time to simmer and then I’m sure we’ll get our seasoned pro back. I doubt he’ll fluff up that badly again.
There might be a grain of truth to that.
Hopefully the next rice partey ends without the rice getting burnt.
That isn’t a problem if the Harvest has been good in Germany.
Surefire sign of climate change…rice growing in Deutschland!
Lol, perhaps in Ireland.
And here I foolishly thought we were done with all that. That we had moved on to references to giant falling trees (sometimes twin trees) or Beach Boy songs. I guess that small raya hope is gone.
We’ve moved on to the Victorian novel. But feel free to Eyre your grievances.
Toney, or not Toney; that was the question
“We’ll never be beyond that stage”
Paul, Fever Pitch
“To be honest with you, I’ve not been feeling 100% fit so far”
I was seeing exactly that against Villa. A fully fit Declan Rice chases down Morgan Rogers, takes the ball and his lunch money.
Not sure about that, don’t think Rogers ever had his lunch money stolen.