Jack Grealish has been told to prepare for a hostile reception when England face Ireland in Dublin this weekend.
The Man City star represented Ireland at youth level, including six appearances for the U21 side, before officially switching allegiance to England in 2015. He did not make his senior debut for the Three Lions until 2020.
Grealish was not involved at Euro 2024, missing out of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man selection, but he is back in the England squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Ireland and Finland.
Lee Carsley, who made 40 appearances for Ireland during his playing days, is now in charge of the Three Lions, and his first match in the dugout comes in Dublin on Saturday.
Ireland Callum Robinson striker, a close friend of Grealish since the pair came through the Aston Villa academy together, is not expecting the winger to be warmly received at the Aviva Stadium.
"I think he'll be getting ready for a bit of abuse but that's part of it, it's part of the game," Robinson said.
"He's old enough and with being a senior player now, that stuff's going to come. I'd be surprised if he doesn't because I think he gets booed anywhere he goes anyway, even in England."
It is likely to be a similar situation for Declan Rice, who went further than Grealish and won three senior Ireland caps in 2018 before then opting to represent England.
With this the Three Lions’ first return to Dublin since Grealish and Rice made their decisions, and with Carsley now in the dugout, former Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given is predicting a hostile occasion for those in the England camp.
“It’s going to be a fiery atmosphere, that’s for sure,“ Given told SunSport.
“I don’t imagine Lee will be doing a lap of honour after the game. He knows what he’s walking into.
“Rice and Grealish are two brilliant players who were both wearing the green of Ireland at one point. I’m sure they’ll be in for a bit of a reception as well.
“Jack’s back in the squad. I texted him jokingly the other day that I hope he’s ready for a nice reception when he gets back to Dublin and I got a few laughing faces back.”
