Liverpool legend John Aldridge has voiced strong criticism of Declan Rice and Jack Grealish for their switch in international allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to England.
The pair faced backlash during England’s 2-0 victory over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, where both players were booed after scoring.
Rice had previously earned three senior caps for Ireland before opting to represent England, while Grealish played for Ireland at the youth level before making a similar switch.
Aldridge, who was born in England but chose to represent Ireland through his heritage, expressed his disappointment in a column for the Sunday World.
“It was bad enough watching England toy with Ireland without seeing Rice and Grealish score against a team they once represented,” Aldridge lamented.
“What those two lads did was not right on so many levels. Pulling on a green jersey is a privilege, and they’ve shown massive disrespect.”
Reflecting on his own career, Aldridge recalled how he jumped at the opportunity to play for Ireland when offered by Jack Charlton.
He emphasized that receiving an Ireland cap should foster loyalty, and criticized Rice for deciding to switch after just a few appearances.
Though he acknowledged Grealish’s case was slightly different due to his youth-level experience, Aldridge still believes players should not be allowed to change international teams once they have made a commitment.
In response to the hostile reception in Dublin, Grealish remarked that he and Rice anticipated the reaction, stating, “I have a lot of Irish in my family, so there’s no bad blood whatsoever from my side.” Rice added that it was a “good afternoon” despite the atmosphere.
Aldridge’s comments reignite the debate over national representation and player loyalty in football.
