England new boy Rice talks about training with 'ridiculous' Sterling

Declan Rice has described Raheem Sterling as 'ridiculous' in training and revealed he was watching news on television with his dad when he learned of his first England call-up.

The West Ham midfielder, 20, was named in the England squad for the first time by Gareth Southgate for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro.

That came just days after Rice made the decision to switch international allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to the country of his birth.

Rice appeared on the 'First Impressions' series on FATV as England trained for Friday night's qualifier against the Czechs at Wembley and said he'd been thoroughly impressed by Manchester City star Sterling.

'You've got to be on your A-game in training because the manager is watching, Steve [Holland] is watching,' Rice said.

'There are top, top players in this team. I trained my first session with Sterling and he is on another level, he is ridiculous.

'He is everything I thought he would be. I've played against him a few times and he was a problem. But coming to train with him, it's nice to be on the same team with him.

'He is a top, top person and his numbers, his assists and his goals speak for themselves.

'I asked him yesterday, "how old are you?" and he's about to turn 24 and that's ridiculous, that's scary. He can achieve anything he wants in football.'

Rice represented Ireland because his paternal grandparents hail from County Cork, playing in various youth sides and three times for the senior side in non-competitive fixtures.

But he decided to switch allegiance to England in time for the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign and this summer's UEFA Nations League finals. And learning of his maiden call-up was a proud moment.

'You can't describe it to be honest - a straight smile. I was ill the day last week when the squad got announced,' he said.

'My dad came home and we were watching the TV and it obviously came up that I was in the squad and that feeling, I was bursting with pride, you can't believe it.

'It is everything you've wanted to work for as a kid and it's come true. The call-up is one of the best feelings you're ever going to feel.'

On his decision to switch allegiance, he added: 'It was a really tough decision. Everyone knows my situation with the Republic of Ireland.

'I obviously played there in the youth set-up but I had to make a decision that was best for me. I am English and I am from England.

'It was really good playing for Ireland but I am now looking forward to the future and pulling on an England shirt.'

Asked about his favourite England memory, Rice went for Joe Cole's stunning volley against Sweden at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

'When I was young my idol was Joe Cole - unbelievable,' he said. 'And when he scored that goal against Sweden - chested it, volley, top bins and then ran off into the corner.

'I have met Joe, he was training at West Ham two years ago when I was in the under-23s and he was ripping us all up. We all wanted to be on his team, it was crazy.

'That Cole goal was my best England memory. You tried to replicate it over at the park - chesting and volleying and getting nowhere near the top bins.'

Rice also spoke about the 'Gun Lean' celebration he pulled out after scoring in West Ham's recent encounter with Newcastle.

The move, from a track of the same name by Russ and also performed by Manchester United and England star Jesse Lingard, divided opinion among West Ham fans.

Rice revealed: 'I know Russ, who sings the song. I saw him out and I said when I next score I'm going to do it.

'It was stiff though, it was in the moment. I told [Robert] Snodgrass to stay there and let me have my moment.

'I came back on my phone and there's all these messages next to my Instagram saying "that Gun Lean's dead."

'But I messaged Russ afterwards and he was buzzing. I don't score a lot, that's maybe two in 50 games, so I want to be remembered for the celebrations I pull out of the bag.'