‘Speechless’ Declan Rice to captain England but Gareth Southgate had to convince Arsenal star over Ireland switch

Declan Rice will enjoy a ‘pinch me’ moment when he captains England against Belgium – six years after Roy Keane declared he was Irish.

The Arsenal star will take armband duties on his half-century of appearances for the Three Lions in the absence of usual skipper Harry Kane on Tuesday night.

Kyle Walker was handed the honour during the 1-0 defeat to Brazil at the weekend but was forced off with injury after 20 minutes.

He handed over the armband to Harry Maguire, but both defenders have since withdrawn from the squad, leading Rice to take over.

Rice’s announcement as captain comes exactly five years to the day after he made his first England start in a 5–1 win over Montenegro.

It caps a whirlwind international journey for the £100million midfielder, who was originally earmarked as a future Ireland captain.

London-born Rice made three senior appearances for the Irish in friendlies in 2018 after coming through their youth ranks.

However, he opted to switch allegiances to the Three Lions the following year despite Man United legend Keane  – a coach of the national side when Rice played – publicly declaring that his fellow midfielder would snub England for the Boys in Green.

During his press conference for the game against Belgium, live on talkSPORT, England boss Southgate referenced the battle to land Rice.

Referring to his international switch while as he discussed Rice’s evolution under him, Southgate joked: “Well, first we had to convince him that it would be a good decision.

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“I think that’s being borne out by the tournaments we’ve been in, and the huge matches he’s played in.

“If I think back to some of the early big games which, almost every match was the biggest match of his life, now he’s won a European trophy, he’s now involved in big matches with his club.”

Rice, meanwhile, outlined his delight at leading out England at Wembley on what will be his 50th cap.

“I’m speechless and lost for words,” he said.

“When he (Southgate) told me last night I was going to be captain, I gave him a hug, shook his hand and said thank you very much.

“I owe him a lot since I first came into the team. He’s always made me feel at home and I’ve always felt so comfortable playing under him.

“I’ve really grown in confidence so on my 50th cap to walk out at Wembley in front of my family and friends, it’s an absolute honour.

“I’m a bit speechless to be honest with you.”

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Rice added: “I think I have grown so much as a player and a person since I first came into the group at 19.

“I was probably a bit of a nervous player when I first came into the England squad, but as time has gone on I’ve played more big games, more games at major tournaments. I have enjoyed every moment.

“50 caps, it is a pinch me moment, it will be an honour.

“On my 50th cap, to walk out at Wembley in front of my family and friends, it is a great honour, I’m a bit speechless.”

Southgate added: “Its his 50th cap, he has great leadership experience already at a tender age.

“No question (he had leadership potential). You get a feel for a human being, and often their family play a big part in that.

“With Dec you could sense that stability, maturity in the decision-making process that he’s going through. And of course he’s led from a very young age at West Ham as well.

“He’s already gained some good experiences and I’m pushing him in that aspect as well. Because it would be easy to take a little step back as we’ve got a lot of older players here, but some of our young ones have got great leadership already.

“They’re more than entitled to be bossing the older ones round a little bit as well, and being demanding of them and of us as a coaching staff, and driving the team, he’s got all those qualities and the respect of everybody to do that.”