Alan Shearer praises ‘magnificent’ Declan Rice as midfielder continues magical March run

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Declan Rice took his tally of England caps to 64 with an appearance against Lativa on Monday night.

The 26-year-old played the first 79 minutes of England’s second World Cup qualifier before being replaced by Jordan Henderson.

It was another strong showing from the midfielder, with Rice praised by the media for his performance.

All-time Premier League top scorer and former England captain Alan Shearer was similarly positive, dishing out credit for Rice immediately following the game.

Alan Shearer praises Declan Rice for assist against Latvia

Latvia proved to be a resolute opponent at Wembley, limiting England to just one goal across the first hour of play.

And speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer explained the difficulty in breaking down a low block and the support midfielders can provide for their forwards to help.

Shearer said: “[Strikers] need help from [their] teammates as well, for them to shift other players around.”

The 54-year-old continued: “An ideal example of that was Declan Rice’s run for Harry [Kane’s] goal, the run from midfield in behind.”

“It was a magnificent run and a great cross for [Kane’s] tap-in.”

Rice was complimentary of Kane in the build-up to the game against Latvia, describing his England teammate as “insane” when talking to the media.

The midfielder’s cross was also the second assist he provided for the Bayern Munich striker in as many games following their link-up against Albania on Friday night.

Declan Rice continues excellent March run

Coming into the international break, Rice had scored or assisted for Arsenal in three of their last four games.

In a similar action as his assist for Kane, the England international made a run from midfield and crossed for Jurrien Timber to score Arsenal’s first against PSV in the 7-1 demolition at the beginning of March.

Rice scored the equaliser against Manchester United following the trip to Eindhoven, curling in a beautiful effort from the edge of the 18-yard-box.

He followed that up in Arsenal’s next game, Rice heading home against PSV as the Gunners comfortably reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

With two assists for England this international break, it leaves Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Chelsea as the only game he failed to register a goal involvement in across March.