Former Ireland international Gary Breen wants to hear directly from Declan Rice before making any judgement as to his international intentions.
Gary joined Joe and Kevin Kilbane on the Football Show to discuss Rice's decision on representing England or Ireland in international football.
"My immediate reaction was disappointment, because I felt like I had invested in this lad more than any other young lad coming into the squad. It's a strange thing to say because I have never met him.
"Obviously, I have got the usual connection in that he's London-born. People make the lazy connection that I will know exactly what his upbringing has been like. I don't know it at all - I was born in London in the 1970s and 1980s where my mum and dad were Irish, and my aunts and uncles. I don't know anything other than that.
"Ultimately, what made me buy into him was on the football field - his attitude. He used to talk about hard work getting you far more than ability. But ultimately, what I bought into was his desire and the pride he felt when he played for Ireland.
"We are talking about a young man who has played for the under-16s, so he has built up the affiliation straight away. Then when the news came through that suddenly, after playing for the seniors, that he needs more time to think. That disappointment quickly turned to anger and I thought that I had been hoodwinked.
"After a couple more hours, I am still trying to digest it and I will reserve judgement until I hear from him. I know what Martin O'Neill is telling us what he is thinking, but we need to hear it from Declan himself.
"The rule itself is a complete nonsense. Countries are playing within the rules, and Ireland have benefited. England have been on the wrong side of it with Wilfried Zaha, having gone through the England setup and turned out for the Ivory Coast."
Subscribe to Off The Ball's YouTube channel for more videos like this, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
