If you didn’t tune into West Ham v Stoke on Monday night, we don’t blame you.
It’s not exactly the most attractive Premier League fixture on paper and pretty much played out as expected, with the two sides playing out a mostly forgettable (dramatic finale not included) 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.
But the game did have a few striking moments, including Joe Hart ruining any lingering chance he had of making England’s World Cup squad by spilling the ball into Peter Crouch’s path for Stoke’s opener and Andy Carroll proving once again that, when fit, he can be a very effective weapon in attack.
Chief among the highlights from an Irish perspective, though, was the performance of Declan Rice. The 19-year-old, who impressed on his Ireland debut against Turkey in March, started his tenth game for the Hammers and attracted plenty of praise for his composed display at the back.
Lining up alongside Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell as part of David Moyes’ three-man defence, Rice was once again composed on the ball and diligent off it.
Rice has not missed a minute of action for West Ham since making his Ireland debut in the 1-0 defeat to Turkey four weeks ago. Although the 19-year-old was hugely impressive when Martin O’Neill shifted him into midfield for the second half of that friendly, Moyes has preferred to use Rice further back.
The London-born talent was rock-solid in the 3-0 win over Southampton before shining against former employers Chelsea during West Ham’s hard-fought 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. For Rice, who was released by the Blues five years ago, it was a particularly satisfying point.
And Rice acquitted himself admirably against Stoke, too, with his precise use of the ball drawing glowing assessments from West Ham fans on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/_antxnio_/status/985987937987837953
https://twitter.com/IronsManJP/status/985890143038005248
I’m telling you all now
Declan Rice > John Stones
— J (@JayWHU) April 16, 2018
Getting a lot of abuse about my comments about noble yesterday! Haha! One thing we can agree on is how exceptionally Declan Rice played again yesterday, he should undoubtably be one of the first names on the team sheet next season. ⚒⚒⚒ pic.twitter.com/3qJCaIWfuO
— WHUFC Bulletin (@whufcbulletin) April 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/VlogsHarry/status/986154000465760261
Declan Rice yet again a small positive from last night, bloke keeps on improving every single game.
Let’s see if these clowns at the helm can hold off interest and actually offer the boy a contract he deserves. They don’t make them like him anymore.
Future leader.
— Nick Marsh (@MarshyBoy26) April 17, 2018
@_DeclanRice with another outstanding composed performance. 🙅🏻♂️
— Angry Bilic (@AngryBilic) April 17, 2018
However, England manager Gareth Southgate’s presence in the stands at the London Stadium may have been enough to unnerve some Ireland fans. Although Rice reiterated his desire to remain with Ireland following the Turkey game, he is not officially tied to the Boys in Green until he turns out in a competitive game.
Until that happens, England will continue to lurk in the background and we will continue to worry. Given Rice’s continued upward trajectory, an approach from Southgate before the World Cup is far from inconceivable but we’re hoping that the England boss was at the London Stadium to watch Hart lose his seat on the plane to Russia, and not to keep a close eye on Ireland’s rising star.
