Mick McCarthy sets March deadline after positive meeting with Declan Rice

So you're telling us there's a... chance?

Mick McCarthy brought out the big gun - his Ireland assistant Robbie Keane - when he went to meet West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. England boss Gareth Southgate is also keen on the youngster and we are currently locked in a stalemate. The new Ireland boss is trying to convince Rice, who has already played three friendlies for the boys in green, to re-commit in 2019, and beyond. McCarthy told Sky Sports' Goals on Sunday:

"I had a really good meeting with him. It was myself, Robbie Keane and his Dad was there. It’s up to him when he wants to decide. That’s how I left it to be quite honest with you. "It’s not my decision as to whether he plays for the Republic of Ireland. It’s only my job that if he wants to stay with us I could pick him. "He’s a really talented player and he’s a lovely lad.  I think he has a really nice family behind him. It’s everything about him that you want him to play for him."

McCarthy was then teed up with a beaut of a question, when asked if Rice had the potential to win 100+ caps for Ireland. "I’d say so," he replied, "I’d love to build a team around him. We start in March. That’s my deadline because I need to know by then. "Build a team around, he could be a future captain, he is that type of player. 100 caps would be a nice profile to have." Not finished handing out festive pick-me-ups, McCarthy confirmed he was sending Terry Connor, his other assistant, to watch Leeds striker Patrick Bamford in action against Aston Villa today. "I have asked about him," McCarthy replied.

"I’ve asked about a lot of players like I normally do. My intention is to speak to Patrick.  I think he does qualify. He is a terrific goalscorer. "He has played against my teams. He won the player of the year the year Daryl Murphy got 27 goals and I thought Daryl should have got it. He puts the ball in the net and you can’t have enough of those."

Things could be looking up in 2019.