O'Shea backs Declan Rice as future Ireland skipper

The 37-year-old will retire from international duty after the weekend having earned 117 caps for his country. The former Manchester United player has competed on the global stage since 2001.

Yet, as he heads into international retirement, O'Shea has youngster Declan Rice marked out as a future captain. The 19-year-old West Ham defender has just two senior appearances to his name for the Republic of Ireland.

O'Shea said: ''He has that confidence, that comfort on the ball, you can see it - the ability and the type of personality that he has, it's huge. He's a future captain way down the line, you can see it, without a doubt.''

''Fingers crossed, he'll keep progressing and play European football but let's enjoy him now as well - he's playing Premier League, he's coming over and loves being part of the squad, let's enjoy that for the moment and enjoy watching him progress.''

As for his own future, O'Shea is considering a career in punditry or coaching. He said: ''You'd be foolish not to be fearful of what happens next. You have to be prepared for that and it's why, over the last four years, I've been doing my coaching badges.''

''There are pitfalls for retired players and I think I need to be doing stuff. But I'll have a lot more time for the family too, make them the priority and not to be thinking that I might go here or there for a year.''