Ally McCoist waxes lyrical of ‘Disciplined’ Declan Rice
West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has been lauded by former Rangers player and manager Ally McCoist.
Rice has started all of England’s games at Euro 2020 and has been one of the Three Lions’ most consistent players in the tournament.
He’s rarely put a foot wrong at the heart of the Three Lions midfield, and along with Kalvin Phillips, has been deservedly praised by McCoist.
In his Daily Telegraph column, he wrote, “The energy levels of Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips will be so important to not giving Denmark any time to settle at all.
“It was perfect in the Croatia game because they forced one of the best central midfielders in the world to get the ball off his own back four. That is what Luka Modric ended up doing for the last 20 minutes of that game.”
He then spoke about the Denmark game and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s role for the Danes.
“When they [Denmark] go forward they don’t keep an eye on the back door at all. Hojbjerg will attempt to do what Rice has done but if I’m honest he’s not been as disciplined as Rice,” McCoist added.
So unruffled
Rice has personified calmness and composure on the ball at the EUROs. Despite playing up against talented midfielders like Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Leon Gortezka, he’s quietly gone on about his duties and has become an influential player for Gareth Southgate.
He’s broken up play when needed, played the simple passes, dropped into the defence, won vital interceptions, and been there whenever England have needed him to show up.
If the Three Lions end up winning the tournament, most of the plaudits will go to the likes of Raheem Kane, Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford, but there will certainly be a section of the media that will notice their success was down to the solidity Rice and Phillips provided in midfield.
Despite all the distractions surrounding his future and his contract extension, Rice has appeared unfazed whenever he’s stepped onto the field of play and we’re hopeful he pens a new deal and stays at the London Stadium for the foreseeable future.
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