Coleman played in all three games when Rice was capped at senior level by Ireland in 2018, having graduated from the underage set-up so he has an insight into the mind of the player who then defected to England, but he insisted: “I just want lads that want to represent Ireland.”
Rice and Grealish – capped at every level bar senior with Ireland before his own move to the English camp – will get some attention from home fans in the sold-out crowd but Coleman’s focus is on his current teammates, not former ones.
“Do they deserve it? I think that’s a leading question for me to give you a headline,” Coleman said when asked of the duo would merit a hot reception.
“Listen, they chose who they wanted to represent. I’ve said it for long enough, whatever they feel they are, that’s what they chose to be.
“I know Declan came and he played three games – I can only speak of Declan coming in as a person, good guy, top player as everyone knows, but I just want lads that want to represent Ireland and we’ve got that and we’re eager to do well.
“Those lads have gone their own way and what reception they get I don’t know, but it’s been a few years now, so it’s not something that concerns me any more now.
“It’s a game we’re all looking forward to. It’s a game a few of us have played in before. Exciting game, it speaks for itself, and we are fully prepared and looking forward to a successful night at the Aviva. For sure, looking forward.”
Including caretakers, Coleman will have played under seven managers with Ireland when he lines out under Heimir Hallgrimsson and he’s on board with the new boss and his ideas.
“Yeah it’s been good, a lot of new information for us. First and foremost, he is good man and he wants to do well for the national team,” the Everton defender said.
“He’s come into a good group of lads who are desperate to do well for Ireland as well. So we’re all looking forward to it. We’ve all been working hard, we’ve all been taking in as much as we can, and we wish him all the best with the journey ahead.
“It doesn’t matter how long the manager has been here, you should always be trying to impress on a daily basis anyway.
“There’s no God-given right to play for your country, there’s no God-given right to play for your club, you’ve got to turn up everyday in training and give your best while you can.
“Then it’s up to the manager to decide who he plays and who he doesn’t. So long as I know I’m giving my all day-in and day-out at training that’s all I can control.”
