Declan Rice reflected on his starring role for England by saying he “needed a big performance” after a “rusty” start to the season with his club Arsenal.
The opening goal was the highlight of what was an excellent individual performance by the 25-year-old midfielder in the 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland.
The display comes after what he believes has been a slow start to the domestic campaign, which included a red card against Brighton & Hove Albion in the last game before the international break.
Saturday’s match in Dublin came just 55 days after defeat against Spain in the European Championship final in July.
Rice believes a busy summer with the national team has left him working his way into top form at the beginning of the new season.
“Obviously I came back to Arsenal late,” he said. “To be honest, I’ve not been feeling 100 per cent fit so far. Kind of been doing my pre-season in the Premier League.
GO DEEPER
Republic of Ireland 0 England 2: Rice and Grealish defy boos, Gordon’s pace proves key
“Today I feel like I took a real step. I was feeling back to myself, feeling springy, feeling like I can run around the pitch, feeling more powerful.
“I feel like I took another step, which is obviously going to help me at Arsenal. I felt really good, and I knew I needed a big performance, because so far this season obviously I got sent off last game and the first two games I was a little bit rusty.”
Rice will again hope to be involved when England welcome Finland to Wembley Stadium on Tuesday in the second game of Nations League League B Group 2.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are next in action against north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, a game for which Rice will be suspended.
(Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images)
