Seamus Coleman hits back at reporter who asked if Rice and Grealish ‘deserve boos’ at Aviva clash

The Republic of Ireland captain was having none of it.

The Everton and Ireland captain joined manager Heimir Hallgrímsson for today's pre-match press conference, and made his feelings clear when asked by a reporter if the defected pair deserved a hostile reception at Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.

"Do they deserve it? I think that’s a leading question for me to give you a headline," the 35-year-old defender said.

"Listen, they chose who they wanted to represent. I’ve said it for long enough, whatever they feel they are that’s what they chose to be. 

"Declan came and played three games and I can only speak of Declan as a person and he is a good guy, top player as everyone knows," he added.

"But I just want lads who want to represent Ireland and we’ve got that. Them lads have went their own way. 

"What reception they get I don’t know but it has been a few years now so it’s not something of concern to me any more now."

Grealish, who has Irish grandparents, represented Ireland at underage level before switching allegiance to England in 2015.

Rice, on the other hand, not only played through the Ireland ranks but also made three senior appearances for the ‘Boys in Green’, before switching allegiance to his homeland in 2019.

Earlier this week, childhood friend of Grealish - Callum Robinson -told reporters that he would be surprised if his friend didn't receive boos and jeers on Saturday considering his turbulent history with the country.

"I don’t know what abuse he might get but I think he’ll be expecting it," he said.

"I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t because I think he gets booed anywhere he goes, even in England so I think he’ll be getting ready for a bit of abuse.

"But listen, that’s part of it, that’s part of the game, and I think he’s old enough and being a senior player, that stuff is going to come, he gets it in England games anyway, or English games in the Prem. I don’t think there will be any change on Saturday, I think he’ll be getting it."

Both Rice and Grealish are likely to start for Lee Carsley's first competitive game in charge of the Three Lions.

It will also be the first time Heimir Hallgrímsson takes to the Ireland dugout since being appointed Ireland manager in July.

The game kicks off at 5pm tomorrow at Aviva Stadium and will be available to watch on RTÉ2.