Declan Rice has revealed his hesitation to wear the captain’s armband in England’s UEFA Nations League 2-0 triumph over the Republic of Ireland, feeling it belonged to John Stones instead.

The Arsenal midfielder was a key player at The Aviva Stadium, notching the first goal for Lee Carsley’s team and setting up Jack Grealish for the second.

Observant supporters noticed Rice appeared to decline the armband from Harry Kane when the forward was subbed off late in the game. It ultimately went to Stones, who Rice believed was the correct choice.

Explaining why he did not want to take on this responsibility, Rice remarked: “Kane tried to give me the armband but Stonesy is more senior and experienced than me. I just said to Harry, ‘Probably John deserves it more than me’. I said to give it to John.”

He added: “That was it. It doesn’t need to be made into a bigger thing. John is one of the more senior ones. Usually he is captain when Harry doesn’t play so it was the right decision.”

Carsley, who had an ideal start as interim manager after Gareth Southgate’s departure post-Euro 2024, was asked for his view on Rice’s actions regarding the captaincy and said: “I think John [Stones] was vice-captain so just out of respect with John coming on, he gave him the armband. I don’t think he refused it.”

 

Rice, who formerly represented The Republic of Ireland at youth level and earned three senior caps before choosing to play for England, found himself the subject of boos from home supporters. Grealish, who also previously pledged his allegiances to Ireland, was similarly targeted.

While Grealish chose to celebrate his goal, Rice offered a more respectful response to his strike – raising his hands apologetically. Opening up on this, the Arsenal star said: “To have celebrated, it would have been really disrespectful of me.

“Obviously my grandparents are Irish and they’ve all passed away now. So I did not want to be disrespectful to them. I really enjoyed myself playing for Ireland and did not think it was appropriate.

“I had such an amazing time playing for Ireland, even in the first team, the U19s, U21s, They were great memories that live with me. So, look, I don’t have a bad word to say, to be honest with you. I wish them all the best.