September 4th 2024.
Callum Robinson, a Republic of Ireland forward, has a warning for his former teammate Jack Grealish as the two nations prepare to face each other in the Nations League this weekend. Grealish, who hails from Birmingham, had previously represented Ireland at the Under-17, Under-18, and Under-21 levels, thanks to his grandparents' heritage. However, in 2015, he officially declared his allegiance to the Three Lions and was recently called up to the England squad after being left out of the Euro 2024 team in the summer.
Robinson, who himself had represented England at a younger age before switching to Ireland, is well-acquainted with Grealish as they came up through the Aston Villa academy together. As the game at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday approaches, Robinson knows that the home fans will not make it easy for Grealish. However, he believes that his old friend is more than capable of handling any hostility directed towards him.
"I think he'll be prepared for some abuse, but that's just part of the game," Robinson stated. "He's a senior player now, and these things are bound to happen. I would be surprised if he doesn't get any boos because he tends to get them wherever he goes, even in England."
Robinson's prediction may also apply to another player, Declan Rice, who could also face a similar reception. The Arsenal star, who switched his allegiance to England in 2019, had previously played for Ireland at the youth level and made three appearances for the senior team in friendly matches.
Meanwhile, interim manager Lee Carsley will be leading England for the first time against the nation where he earned 40 caps as a player. Heimir Hallgrimsson, who was recently appointed as the permanent replacement for former manager Stephen Kenny, will also be making his debut in the dugout as the Irish boss. John O'Shea, who is serving as Hallgrimsson's assistant after his stint as interim manager, has urged the team to focus on their own game and not get distracted by the media circus surrounding Rice and Grealish.
"We need to focus on ourselves and the players who are here and want to be here," O'Shea, a former Manchester United defender, said. "We can't keep talking about Declan Rice because he's not here; he's with the England squad now."
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