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West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is determined to look forward after earning a first England call-up, which had him \u201cbursting with pride\u201d and feeling better from illness.<\/p>\nWest Ham midfielder Declan Rice is determined to look forward after earning a first England call-up, which had him \u201cbursting with pride\u201d and feeling better from illness.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old was named in Gareth Southgate\u2019s squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers after being granted FIFA clearance to switch international allegiance from Ireland.<\/p>\n
Rice had appeared for Ireland\u2019s youth teams and also won three senior caps, but they were all in friendlies, which meant he was clear for a change of representation.<\/p>\n
It remains to be seen whether Southgate will throw the midfielder into action when England kick off their Group A campaign against the Czech Republic at Wembley before heading to Montenegro.<\/p>\n
Rice, who was last week named Ireland\u2019s Young Player of the Year, will take whatever opportunity he is given to impress following what had been a drawn-out international transfer.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t describe it. I just couldn\u2019t believe it,\u201d Rice said in an interview with the Football Association, broadcast via social media channels on Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n
I’ve just got to look forward and forget about the past.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was ill the day last week that the squad got announced. My dad came home and we were watching the TV and it came up that I was in the squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just bursting with pride. It\u2019s everything that you\u2019ve wanted to work for as a kid and it has come true. The call-up is one of the best feelings you\u2019re ever going to feel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Southgate maintains Rice\u2019s club form warranted his first England call-up, but offered no guarantees to the Hammers player.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a really tough decision. I think everyone knows my situation with the Republic of Ireland. I\u2019ve played there in the youth setup, but I had to make a decision that was best for me,\u201d Rice said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you can hear, I am English, I am from England and it was really good playing for Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow I\u2019m just really looking forward to the future and pulling on the England shirt. I\u2019ve just got to look forward and forget about the past.\u201d<\/p>\n