Ireland legend reveals he has texted Jack Grealish to warn him of ‘volatile reception’ that awaits England trio – including new manager Lee Carsley – during Nations League tie in Dublin

England interim manager Lee Carsley, alongside Jack Grealish and Declan Rice, have been warned to expect a hostile reaction when the Three Lions take on Ireland.

Carsley is preparing to take charge of his first game since taking over temporarily from Gareth Southgate, with England facing a Nations League tie against one of their neighbours on Saturday.

The game will mark the start of a new Nations League campaign, with England relegated to League B in the last edition of the tournament and now set to face the likes of Finland and Greece.

First, however, they will take on the Boys in Green, with Carsley, alongside both Grealish and Rice, due to face their former side.

And with the game to take place in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Ireland legend Shay Given, via The Sun, has revealed he has directly contacted Grealish to warn him of the reception that awaits the trio.

Carsley, alongside Declan Rice (left) and Jack Grealish (right), used to play for Ireland but now represent England

Both Grealish and Rice played for Ireland at various youth levels, with Rice playing three games for the senior side

‘Lee won’t be expecting anything else other than a volatile reception with his team because it’s our biggest rival,’ Given said. ‘It’s going to be a fiery atmosphere, that’s for sure. 

‘It’s crazy how the stars have aligned that his first game is Ireland away. I don’t imagine Lee will be doing a lap of honour after the game. He knows what he’s walking into.

‘I’m sure they’ll [Grealish and Rice] 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.’

Grealish has been recalled to the England squad after missing out on a place in the 26-man squad to compete at Euro 2024, and is hoping to add to the 36 caps he has picked up in his career so far, dating back to 2020.

The midfielder, born in Birmingham but of Irish descent, played for Ireland at various youth levels – including Under-21 level – until confirming his decision to play for the England senior team in 2016.

Rice, meanwhile, went one further and played three games for the Republic of Ireland senior team, having also represented them at U17, U19 and U21 level, qualifying to play for them through his grandparents.

In February 2019, however, he confirmed he wanted to play for England and made his debut for the Three Lions less than a month later.

For Carsley, though he was born in Birmingham, he played 40 times for the Republic of Ireland – qualifying through his grandmother – never switching loyalties to England. As a coach, however, he has led the U20 and U21 teams, and will now walk out with the senior side.

Carsley never played for England, but is now leading the side having made 40 appearances for Ireland as a player

Ireland legend Shay Given has suggested that all three players will be targeted during the tie

Saturday will mark the first game between the two sides since late 2020, which saw England beat their rivals 3-0 in a friendly.

Before that, though, Ireland earned a 0-0 draw in June 2015 on their own turf – the last time the fixture was played in the country.

Grealish and Rice both received criticism for their decisions to swap Ireland for England, with Rice accusing former Ireland man James McLean of still being ‘bitter’ over the move on the back of recent criticism.