Declan Rice

“It's good that I can play in two positions, as a centre-back or as a holding midfielder, as I just want to get minutes and get games.”

“I want to win trophies, even the Champions League. You have to be ambitious.”

“My pride at wearing the Irish shirt was always 100 per cent genuine. It was a great honour for myself and my family and something I will always cherish.”

“No one is guaranteed their place in the squad.”

“There are no guarantees getting into an England squad: there's so many unbelievable players.”

“Mark O'Toole from the FAI has looked after me well back in England to the point that I consider him a father figure.”

“People who troll you want a reaction, and there's no point in doing that. I just try to focus on my football.”

“You've got to test yourself against the best to know you are the best.”

“Like so many people around the world, I consider myself to be of mixed nationality.”

“The call-up is one of the best feelings you're ever going to feel.”

“I had to move away from home at 14 and live in a club house in Romford for three years, only seeing my mum and dad twice a week.”

“Nothing is given in the Premier League, and it is tough for spots.”

“It's crazy to be spoken about like Mascherano. He's won everything: Champions League, La Ligas; he's been at World Cups.”

“I've seen comparisons between myself and Bobby Moore. It's nice to be told there are similarities, but nobody will come close to him - what a player, what a man!”

“My family are very happy that I'm playing with Ireland. It's my dad's side, and he's really, really proud. He wants me to play for Ireland, and I'm really happy to play for Ireland.”

“Mum and dad are always looking out for me; they just want the best for me.”

“Being compared to players, being linked to other teams - I don't really take any of it in, to be honest. If you think about it too much, you get caught up in it.”

“As you can hear, I am English - I am from England - and it was really good playing for Ireland.”

“I thought I did well for only being 19 years old on the international scene. I was proud of myself.”