Mark Noble has revealed his delight for West Ham United team-mate Declan Rice after he received his first two England caps during the international break.
The 20-year-old made his debut just past the hour mark in the 5-0 win against the Czech Republic at Wembley and made his first start in Montenegro, where Gareth Southgate’s side put on another five-star performance to win 5-1.
In his Evening Standard column on Friday, Noble revealed he and his West Ham team-mates are proud of how far Rice has come in such a short period.
It’s a lot easier going into a team that are high on confidence and playing well and we’re all delighted that it went so well for him — he couldn’t have had a better time. Some of us here have been acting like proud dads, because Declan has come through the ranks and we’ve seen him grow up and mature.
Despite being 11 years younger, Noble’s fellow midfielder has now made two more England appearances than he has, but there has been no sign of jealousy from the Hammers captain.
Rice switched allegiances from the Republic of Ireland earlier this year, and with Cork-born grandparents, Noble could have also played for the nation during his career.
However, his heart has seemed set on the Three Lions and it now looks like he’ll finish his career without a single international cap – a baffling thought.
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