Declan Rice has promised to do Kevin Nolan’s famous “chicken dance” goal celebration if he scores at the World Cup.
West Ham midfielder Rice admits it will be a lifelong ambition to play in the tournament - and insists England can go all of the way in Qatar.
Rice said: “It’s hard to find the words, I can’t explain it. There’s less than 250 people that have represented England at a World Cup and I’m one of them. To finally be here is so special. It’s hard to explain what it actually means. I think when you play the games and you are on the pitch, that’s when I think I’ll be able to speak about it. It’s all a bit of a blur at the minute.”
“I did promise Kevin Nolan my next goal, I’d run off and do the chicken. I think I’d end up doing ten celebrations at once. Honestly if you sat down with every player, I think they’d say the same thing, you never know how far you can go in football. If you believe and push yourself then anything is possible and now we are on the biggest stage.”
Rice says he has two big inspirations and will be always grateful to his dad and former West Ham team mate Mark Noble for the roles they have played in getting him to the World Cup.
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He added: “In terms of off the pitch, I would have to say my Dad just because I could play football from the moment I had a ball at my feet but he never put any pressure on me. We always had that close bond and he always wanted to improve me.
“It’s been an incredible journey with him. If there was one person on the pitch, I would have to say Mark Noble. When I first got into the first team at 16, he made me feel so comfortable and as a captain, I don’t think I’ll have a better captain or better person. He used to push me and make me better, it was top level.”
