England vs United States: Michael Keane tells Declan Rice and other youngsters to 'go with your gut' in deciding international futures

West Ham United’s Declan Rice is currently making his mind up on his future and Keane has sympathy for the decision he is mulling over

England defender Michael Keane has urged youngsters eligible for both England and the Republic of Ireland to “go with your gut” in deciding their international affiliation.

Keane, whose father was born in Ireland, played for the Republic’s Under-17 and Under-19 teams before switching to represent England. He is now set to win his fifth England senior cap against the United States at Wembley on Thursday night.

Having grown up in England, Keane says that he feels “100 per cent English”, and put his decision to represent England down to the fact that his “heart is more in England”. These decisions are sometimes put down to commercial or sporting factors, such as gaining crucial experience, but Keane believes that they have to come from what feels right. “I respect Ireland a lot and am grateful for the opportunity they gave me to play there,” Keane said at St George’s Park on Tuesday afternoon, “but I always wanted to play for England.”

The story of Keane is a typical one given how many young footballers of Irish heritage grow up in England eligible to represent both countries. West Ham United’s Declan Rice is currently making his mind up on his international future. He won three senior caps for the Republic of Ireland earlier this year, but is now giving thought to switching to England. That has prompted some criticism from prominent Irish voices, including Kevin Kilbane, who was born in England but made his own decision to represent the Republic of Ireland, and went on to win 110 caps for them.

Before Rice, English-born Jack Grealish represented the Republic of Ireland from under-15 up to under-21 level, before controversially switching allegiance in 2015 and playing for England under-21s. He has yet to play a senior international for either side.

While not speaking about Rice specifically, Keane’s advice was for youngsters to play for the country they felt part of. Rather than taking a decision to gain international experience, no matter who for, for the sake of their careers. “I would say just go with your gut,” said Keane. “At the end of the day international football is great to play but I think you get more pride out of playing for the country you really want to play for.”

It was always Keane’s desire to represent England, so he switched allegiance at Under-19 level, and now plays for them as a senior. “This isn't to say I didn't want to play for Ireland, but my heart is more in England,” Keane said. “All my family are in England, my dad moved over when he was nine years old so we don't have much Irish family. So I always wanted to play for England, so I would say just speak to your family. It is not just about getting the experience at a young age, you have to enjoy representing the country you play for.”

Declan Rice is yet to declare who he will play for (Getty)

Keane insisted this was nothing against his time playing for Irish teams, and that he was “grateful” for that experience as a teenager. But that he was pleased with how his international career has turned out.

“I played for Ireland Under-17s and Under-19s, then I got approached by England,” Keane said. “I respect Ireland a lot and am grateful for the opportunity they gave me to play there, but I always wanted to play for England. I made the move and obviously I have not regretted it at all, obviously I am here and hopefully I can kick on and keep getting more caps.”