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England manager and former Ireland player Lee Carsley said he would not be singing the national anthem for Saturday’s game in Dublin, as that has always been his stance throughout his career – while stating he had not spoken individually to Declan Rice or Jack Grealish about the possibility of being booed. .
The interim English boss said he has spoken more generally to the squad about the potentially fervent atmosphere, as England played a competitive game in Ireland for the first time since 1990. Anglo-Irish relations have been considered through the build-up to the game, especially. with many of Carsley’s squad – including the manager himself – having an Irish background.
Rice even made three appearances for Ireland before moving to England, while Grealish featured for the youth team. Carsley himself has 40 caps for his home country on Saturday, but did not sing the national anthem before the game, and has not sung the England national anthem before a match as England U-21 manager.
“It’s something I’ve always struggled with when I’ve played for Ireland,” Carlsey said. “The gap between the warm-up, you enter the field, and the delay with the anthem. So, (singing is) something I have never done. I was always really focused on the game and the first act of the game. I really found that, at that time, I beware of my wandering mind.
“I’m really focused on football, and I’ve been a coach. We also have the national anthem with the 21-year-olds, and I’m in the zone. I think about how the opposition will be organized and the first action of the game. I respect both national anthems and understand what they mean to both countries. That’s what I really respect.”
Rice is expected to be booed by the Aviva Stadium crowd, and there is the potential for some hostile pantomime for Grealish, who could return to the starting line-up. But Carsley felt it was better to speak to the group as a whole; the Irish could be more excited as this is the first match under new manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, who was Iceland’s assistant when they beat England 2-1 at Euro 2016.
“I have not spoken to the two individuals,” Carsley said Rice and Grealish. “I spoke to the team about the understanding of the atmosphere, not only the atmosphere but the new coach, so we are still not sure what to expect. I think if two players are ready for it and the others are not, it will be a bit of a shock. But yes, we have talked about what Ireland can do and the atmosphere and the tempo, and we will be ready for whatever comes our way.
Harry Kane says he has not discussed the matter with the pair, despite having his own Irish heritage. His father’s family are from Connemara in Galway, but the captain always knew he wanted to play for England – and said there were no approaches from Ireland.
“I haven’t spoken to Dec and Jack yet. I think everyone has a career path and they have a little part with Ireland and another with England, so they’re mature enough to handle it. And it’s going to be a tough game, the atmosphere is going to be tough, we’re going to go places expected to be hostile, but not unlike many away games.
“So from my point of view, my grandfather was Irish, but the way my career went – with the England youth team and the 21s and the first team – Ireland wasn’t something that came to mind or even came to the table, so… Everyone is different, everyone has a different path , and for Dec and Jack it’s just part of their football career so far.
“My father was born in England, and his mother and father were born in Ireland, so my grandparents were Irish but I was born in England … I always think of England and my country, but I respect Ireland and my grandparents – who are no longer with us. I still have family there, so I respect them and I’m sure they’re looking forward to seeing me play in Dublin.
“I don’t think (representing Ireland) was ever on the radar. I’ll have to ask my dad for sure, he didn’t tell me it was there, but maybe there were some conversations when I was in the youth team that I don’t know about. But like I said, I’m focused in England and because I was in the England team from a young age, there was no need to think about anything else. As always, I respect Ireland, because I have family there too.
