Tony Cascarino explains Declan Rice ‘scapegoat’ comments, compares West Ham midfielder to Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson

Tony Cascarino explains Declan Rice ‘scapegoat’ comments, compares West Ham midfielder to Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson
Tony Cascarino has explained why he believes Declan Rice could become England’s scapegoat, after suggesting the West Ham midfielder is an easy target for criticism.Rice won his first Three Lions cap last Friday in the thrashing of Czech Republic, and then started for the first time as Gareth Southgate’s side ran riot against Montenegro.The 20-year-old’s performance was widely praised, with Rice’s precise passing and ball-winning ability catching the eye.However, there were criticisms levelled at the West Ham star due to his unadventurous approach to the game.3

Rice played the full 90 minutes as England beat Montenegro 5-1

More often than not Rice looked to pass the ball backwards rather than forwards, even if there were passing lanes open in the final third.And Cascarino, the former Republic of Ireland forward, fears Rice will, over time, be criticised due to his style of play. In The Times, Cascarino wrote of Rice: “Played the vital Jordan Henderson role really well: simply breaking up play and then moving the ball on to a team-mate unerringly.“I just fear he could be made a scapegoat in the future as people ask: ‘What does he actually do?'”The comparison with Jordan Henderson, the Liverpool midfielder, was raised a second time when Cascarino joined talkSPORT to explain his comments.Speaking to the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Cascarino reasoned that only the people who watch Henderson week in, week out truly understand his value.

LIVE on talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Tune into talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2 to listen to all these live commentaries this week...

• West Brom vs Birmingham (Friday) talkSPORT 2
• Brighton vs Southampton (Saturday) talkSPORT 2
• West Ham vs Everton (Saturday) talkSPORT
• Middlesbrough vs Norwich (Saturday) talkSPORT 2
• Portsmouth vs Sunderland (Sunday) talkSPORT 2

For everyone else, Henderson is nothing more than a waste of space in midfield as he hardly does anything of note when it comes to scoring or creating goals.Rice, Cascarino explains, faces the same sort of criticism.Rice does the ABCs of football – the simple things – really well, Cascarino told talkSPORT. Thats really what Jordan Henderson has done all his career.A lot of people get on the back of players who dont score many goals, or get many assists.Getty Images3

Henderson is often criticised over his lack of attacking contribution

They become a bit of a scapegoat over time as many people look at them and go well, what you actually do?.Well, he breaks up play, he keeps the ball, he moves it Its not easy keeping the ball – its an art!England have enough flair in front of him to not need Declan to be a game changer.But players like Declan get questioned after a time if they are not game changers.3

Rice plays an important role in Southgate’s side – even if he is hardly noticed

I just felt he played really well (against Montenegro) and did all the ugly things where people will go just what does he actually do?.That has been Hendersons problem – only die hard Liverpool fans who watch him every week say were a better team with Jordan in.If you dont score loads of goals or create loads of chances, people will start pointing the finger at you – its only natural.

---

Manchester United news: Anthony Martial blasted by fans for

---

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has vowed to celebrate wildly in the Sky Sports studios if the Reds are crowned Premier League champions this season. Jurgen Klopp's side will receive the biggest test yet to their title credentials when they travel to the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night.
Salah admits title pressure as he meets Liverpool legend

---

Manchester City vs Liverpool: Reds could thrash rivals and STILL not win the Premier League title, says Stan Collymore Former Anfield striker believes that not even a nine-point lead at the top
Manchester City vs Liverpool: Reds could thrash rivals and

---

Claude Makelele threatened to put Ronaldinho in hospital if

---

Sala died in a plane crash last month after leaving Nantes for Cardiff in the January transfer window. The plane in which he was flying in crashed in the English Channel before the striker had
Emiliano Sala: Nantes FINED by French League for TRIBUTE to

---

Watford troll Gary Lineker on Twitter over presenter's claim about former manager Marco Silva but CEO later apologises to him The former England striker labelled Watford's decision to sack Silva
Gary Lineker has reacted brilliantly after Zinedine Zidane

---

African best player Mohamed Salah becomes the latest footballer to suffer racist abuse after West Ham fan called him 'f**** Muslim c***' (Video) Egyptian football star, Mohamed Salah is the lastest footballer to suffer vile racist abuse after a West Ham football was seen in a video insulting the striker during their clash with Liverpool on

---

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has revealed that he is very happy with the progress of Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The highly talented midfielder has apparently impressed the Italian over the last week and he could get his first team chance soon.
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri issues January transfer window

---

Luka Modric has claimed he will not care if he doesn't win the Ballon d'Or award next month after admitting: 'My year was great and that's it.' The Croat is among the favourites to land the
I don't Care If I Don't Win The Ballon D'Or - Luka Modric

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the man named as the new caretaker manager of Manchester United, certainly remains a popular figure at Old Trafford.He scored the goal that won United the Champions League in
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Cardiff appointment 'a gamble' - BBC Sport

---

Harry Maguire reveals he does not respect Matej Vydra after

---