Kevin Kilbane hasn't been shy in coming forward on the Declan Rice debate.
Having taken to Twitter earlier to question Rice's use of the term 'Proud Englishman' in his statement earlier, Kilbane is sticking by those sentiments tonight in the Virgin Media Sport studio.
The 110-capped Kilbane feels that, if it were him, he'd have taken that statement out.
I've said all the way along, I can't understand his decision to play for us in the first place. The line that jumps out at me immediately on it - I'm a proud Englishman. If you're a proud Englishman, you don't come and play for us in my mind. You do not actually make yourself available.
The former Everton, Sunderland and West Brom full-back, born in Preston to two Irish parents, is also adamant that Irish management should have turned their back on Rice after the West Ham youngster turned down the Nations League call-ups for the games against Wales and Denmark.
It was done then. It was clear cut in mind. I personally wouldn't have picked him again after he made that decision.
The suggestion that Mick McCarthy should go and chase him. That Martin O'Neill should go and chase him. I don't buy that for one minute.
It stinks in my mind, how it's come about and what's happened.
Kilbane also believes that the saga has made a mockery of the FAI's targeting of players of Irish heritage across the water, stating that the same players "know full well" they can turn their backs on us if they progress.
Catch the full spicy 180 seconds below.
"If you're a proud Englishman, don't come and play for us."
"I would've taken that line out of the statement."
"It makes a mockery of our system."
"He's felt at 16 that he wouldn't get called up for England."@kdkilbane77 has strong opinions on the Declan Rice saga.#VMSport pic.twitter.com/S33Uiw1Zl8— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 13, 2019
