"James is very strongly in favour of him coming."
Martin O'Neill has revealed that James McClean has sent a text message to Declan Rice, stating that he is in favour of the West Ham United youngster playing for Ireland.
O'Neill said last week that Rice is still deliberating over his international future amid interest from England, the country of his birth. This didn't go down well with many Irish football fans, including Kevin Kilbane.
The former Ireland international said he would rather the country were "ranked 150th in the world and never qualify again" than pick a player who is unsure about their international allegiance.
https://twitter.com/kdkilbane77/status/1034049483678642177
McClean appeared to echo Kilbane's sentiments.
The Stoke winger responded to Kilbane's tweet, saying that "representing your country should be an honour and a proud moment."
https://twitter.com/JamesMcC_14/status/1034185397180542977
Rice has three caps for the Republic of Ireland at senior level and has played alongside McClean.
O'Neill was keen to stress that there is no issue between the two players and that McClean has contacted Rice about the tweet he posted.
"James has spoken to Declan Rice," O'Neill told reporters on Monday in Dublin.
"James is very strongly in favour of him coming. Very strong. He sent a text message strongly in support of Declan coming here. Declan has made a great impression here. He has done very well at senior level, as he has done at underage level. He has played senior football for us, so obviously, while nothing is ever clear-cut, we would have been pleased if he announced that, and we would still be delighted if he comes."
Rice is still deliberating on his international future, and England boss Gareth Southgate has admitted that he has spoken to the 19-year-old.
O'Neill has said he is hopeful that the West Ham defender, who has also played for Ireland at underage level, will, in time, decide to return to the Ireland team.
