‘Nice feeling’ – Declan Rice reflects on scoring for England against former side Ireland | OneFootball

Declan Rice was on target for England as Lee Carsley secured his first win as interim manager by beating the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in Dublin on Saturday.

The Arsenal midfielder, who previously won three caps for the Irish national team, pounced on a loose ball to fire past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher 11 minutes into the game.

The 25-year-old set up former Ireland youth international Jack Grealish to double the Three Lions’ lead and kick off their Uefa Nations League campaign with three points.

On his 59th cap for England, it was the first time in his career that Rice both scored and assisted a goal in the same match.

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“Really good, it was the manager’s first game and we got a win,” Rice told ITV after the final whistle.

“We’re in the league below where we want to be so we know how important it is to win this group.

“To score alongside Jack, it was a really nice feeling as well.”

It was England’s first game without Gareth Southgate in the dugout for eight years and a fresh start for the team with Carsley on the sideline.

“It has been really refreshing this week – Lee has been amazing to work with, his meetings have been top and training has been really good,” Rice said.

“It’s been a fresh start, a change and to win for him today and for ourselves to get off to a winning start was the main thing.”

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