Kevin Kilbane feels the way Richie Sadlier responded to his comments about the Declan Rice situation was "a little bit disrespectful".
Kevin, who was capped 110 times for Ireland, has spoken firmly about the Rice situation in which the West Ham footballer and three-time Ireland cap is mulling over continuing his Irish international career - which began at under-16 level and through every age grade to senior - or switching to England, the nation of his birth.
Speaking on our Off The Ball Newsround on Monday Night, Kevin said: "Don't play for us in the first place. Do not play for us in the first place and use us to enhance your reputation and your chances of playing for England. I don't want you."
In an earlier tweet, the former Everton winger, who started his career at hometown club Preston North End, had also added: "I’d rather be ranked 150th in the world and never qualify again than have someone who has played, but needs time to THINK whether they should play for us again. Well done to MON for transparency."
Former Ireland and Millwall striker Richie Sadlier had shared his thoughts on the situation and Kevin's comments on the Second Captains Podcast, remarking: "I think that's bollocks.
Watch the full Keith Andrews Show on YouTube:
"Monumental bollocks. You'd rather never qualify? I'm sure the point he's making is, 'I would like players fully committed to playing for Ireland and that should be the base level'.
"But allowing yourself a couple of weeks to think about it, to listen to all arguments, just maybe out of respect to hear Gareth Southgate, listen to your agent, listen to other family members, listen to whatever voices are in this conversation."
The Rice situation as well as Sadlier's comments were a point of discussion on our Keith Andrews Show this Thursday afternoon as former Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews and Kevin had their say.
"It's the first time I've read [those comments] actually. I think it's a little bit disrespectful to me personally, that that's the headline that comes out," Kevin said.
"Personally, I wouldn't want an Irish team qualifying for a major tournament if we did have players who weren't committed. I stand by it. That's how I was brought up. I was brought up in a different time over in England."
Continuing and having detailed the experience of growing up as an Irish person in England, Kevin said, "I like listening to Richie. He's well educated but I think to come out with that statement, I personally think it's disrespectful to me - and as a fellow pro as well. If I disagreed with something that Richie said, I wouldn't necessarily come out with that statement to start with. I'd just say, 'I'm not having it', whatever it would be and I'd try to make my arguments around it."
You can watch all of what Kevin Kilbane had to say on the video player at the top of the page or listen back on the podcast.
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