Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has criticised Jack Grealish and Declan Rice for switching their international allegiances.
The two England stars were met with a hostile reception from Irish fans during Saturday's Nations League clash.
It didn't faze them, however, as both netted in an impressive 2-0 victory fro the Three Lions.
The pair were booed because both played for Ireland in their younger years before deciding to choose England.
Rice represented Ireland at U17, U19 and U21 level while playing at West Ham, and even made three appearances in friendly fixtures under Martin O’Neill.
Grealish never made an appearance for the senior team but he did play for the U17s, U18s and U21s.
And Aldridge, who featured 69 times for Ireland, fully understands why Irish supporters remain unhappy about the situation.
'It was bad enough watching England toy with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium without seeing Declan Rice and Jack Grealish get their two goals,' Aldridge wrote in his Sunday World column.
'I know it's old news now, but what those two lads did to Ireland was not right on so many levels, as pulling on a green jersey is a privilege and they showed us all a massive lack of respect.
'I'm in the perfect position to talk about this as I was born in England and could have tried to get into their squad when I was on my way up the football ladder.
'Yet when Jack Charlton offered me a chance to play for Ireland, I jumped at the chance as it was always my dream to pull on the green shirt. Once you get that first Ireland cap and kiss that badge, as Rice did, you can't turn around and play for England a few months later.
'Grealish is a little different as he only played at underage level for Ireland, but I still feel you should not be allowed to switch international teams. Seeing those two score for England reminded us of what might have been as Ireland could have built their team around them for the last few years.'
Cohabdensy
0
Bunch of Traitors..Specially Rice 🍚.After that Snub from Southgate Grelish should have retired or go back to Ireland.
blacknight8235IN
1
Aldridge says he is in a good position to talk about this, I wonder if he actually listened to himself, he did the same thing that Grealish and Rice did but he is critical of them, the same way he felt proud to wear the green jersey they were proud to wear the white, he was born in England but choose to represent Ireland when the opportunity arise , they all had a choice just as him, he should of stayed silent on this matter
Hineiklnsu
2
doesn't matter just look at my follow african brothers in French team
Noeadeklz
0
JUST ACCEPT THE BRUTAL FACT THAT THE WORLD IS NOW A GLOBAL VILLAGE AND MOVE ON. REMEMBER THAT IT WAS ENGLISH AND NOT IRISH FOOTBALL ACADEMIES THAT PREPARED THEM, SO THEY ARE BEING GRATEFUL!
Sizabcluyz
1
African doing the same thing mbappe was rejected by Cameron and so many players qua recently i.walliams came to Ghana and they bench him African we talking about that
damik
1
Don’t want them , the reason England won’t win a major trophy is because of this , the players don’t actually care enough about allegiance and honor to fight hard enough for a country when they can so easily swap jerseys from one nation to another .
nukaelprt
0
Stupid little man
mapbcelt
0
It's rule that only benefits the BIG teams, how can you play 3 competitive games and change country?
the rule was made to offer a choice to the players. aldridge himself was basically English, but chose to play for Ireland so he could get some international football. how many small nations have a 'brazillian' playing for them or something like that? it doesn't only benefit big nations, it goes both ways
Luzeilpuyz
0
honestly with the snub england give grealish he has no shame playing for them plus these countries like france, england and spain have so much to choose from that its frightening
Like I said in my post the rule was made to benefit the big nations
Luzeilpuyz
0
It's rule that only benefits the BIG teams, how can you play 3 competitive games and change country?
wuoailnrsu
2
why only now questioning their allegiance. why not submit the protest during the initial application for changes? after losing.....too late....
KalangbaSaccoya2007
1
That's the reason why none of the other countries in the United Kingdom cannot do anything good in soccer...cuz any potential/good player will switch to England....it's a shame....Even their leagues are way below par, compared to the English Premier League.......It's sad
Dante101
0
honestly with the snub england give grealish he has no shame playing for them plus these countries like france, england and spain have so much to choose from that its frightening