Ally McCoist has urged Declan Rice to ‘carry on’ following his complaints about the demands placed on footballers with the ‘obscene’ schedule.
The West Ham captain has endured a busier few years than most after becoming a key player for the Hammers, featuring in the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League last season.
Add to that his pivotal role with England and this season’s Europa Conference League fixtures for his club, and it’s clear to see how pretty busy the 23-year-old’s schedule looks.
Rice has made it clear that he loves playing and wants to play as many games as possible, but the demands placed on footballers and their bodies in the modern world are too high.
And things don’t look any better with a Winter World Cup on the horizon in Qatar.
Discussing the accumulation of games, Rice said: “I trained last year from June 2021 to June 2022, I played 68 games. That’s an obscene amount of games.
“You have to stay in shape, eat the right things, your nutrition has to be right and you have to be on top all year round.
“Of course at some point it could take its toll, but it’s up to the player to find that balance. I’m starting to do it again now, I’m starting to feel good again and feel strong again.
“Hopefully I can keep pushing and that as a team I will continue in Europe and in the league as well. I always come out of the punctured field.
“I like to keep playing, keep the momentum going. That’s where the confidence flies.
“When the season ended, I was trying to see how many I could get.
“From the Euros to the end of the season it was 68 and I was like, ‘How can I get 70?’
“I just wanted to keep pushing and getting as much out of it as possible. I feel like the more games I play… I don’t like to rest.
“You only get one career and you want to maximize it. When you reach that number of games, it’s a proud moment for yourself.
“It shows the hard work you have put in. Before Silkeborg last month, I told the manager that I wanted to play. I want to play every game.”
But responding on talkSPORT Breakfast, McCoist had none of it.
He said, “Too many games? Come on, Declan. Go on.
“You’re like me, go ahead, Declan. Go ahead, you have a World Cup to look forward to, playing in brilliant matches.
Responding to Alan Brazil’s comment that he will have some time off after the World Cup, McCoist added: “I’m sure Moyesy will give him the day off!”
Former Aston Villa captain Gabby Agbonlahor agrees with the Rangers legend.
Asked about Rice’s comments, he added: “It is a lot of games.
“When you think the Premier League is only 38 years old, it’s also had European and international games.
“But that’s what they get paid for, isn’t it?” Play soccer!”