Watch bizarre moment Conor McGregor learns Declan Rice used to play for Ireland during kickabout with Arsenal star
CONOR MCGREGOR enjoyed a kickabout with Declan Rice – seemingly oblivious to their Irish connection.
The UFC star joined Rice and Bukayo Saka on the Emirates pitch after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
McGregor was in attendance at the Champions League game and made his way onto to the field after full-time.
The Irishman was joined by Three Lions star Saka, who got more than he bargained for as the MMA ace began kickboxing with him in the centre circle.
The Notorious later showed off his keepy-uppy skills as he knocked the ball around with Rice.
In viral footage, a voice off-camera can be heard saying: “Declan used to play for Ireland.”
Rice, 25, began his international career playing for Ireland, winning three caps in 2018.
He switched to England a year later and recently refused to celebrate after scoring against the Irish in September.
Addressing Rice, McGregor fired back in the clip: “Who did? You did?”
Rice confirmed he had before Conor added: “The Irish national team? Deadly.”
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One fan laughed in response: “Talking to them like he hasn’t got a clue who they really are.”
And another joked: “Conor’s first touch is better than Bellingham.”
According to The Irish Mirror, McGregor was not an official guest at the Emirates on Tuesday.
He reportedly acquired a ticket through a third-party source, before leaving his seat and breezing onto the pitch at full-time.
After several minutes on the turf, security reportedly told him to get off the field.
Saka and Kai Havertz were on the scoresheet as the Gunners ran out 2-0 winners against the French champions.
Arsenal ratings vs PSG as Havertz makes striker spot his own... but Calafiori shows chinks in his armour
KAI HAVERTZ and Bukayo Saka sent Arsenal to a deserved victory borne of first-half dominance.
Paris Saint-Germain did hit the bar and the post as they improved after the break in this Champions League tie.
But Emirates chief Mikel Arteta will mostly be delighted with his side’s latest solid display in Europe’s top club competition.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners at the Emirates on Tuesday.
DAVID RAYA – 7
Was perhaps busier than he usually is at home.
Helplessly watched a Nuno Mendes effort smack his far post and stood firm to deny Achraf Hakimi at his near post.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
A frantic display, one that had more shaky moments than good. Kept busy by Hakimi and was done for pace on a few occasions but recovered well.
A mistake early in the second half almost gave PSG a way back into the game. Needs to iron out these errors from his game, particularly when he is so dangerous in attack.
However, he was playing at right-back for the first time in his career after the break.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Did not have much to do. A stray pass early on could have been costly but other than that another reliable and strong performance.
GABRIEL – 7
Sprayed some nice passes about from deep but this was a stress-free night’s work compared to the Premier League.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 8
Just how on earth does Ben White get back in this side at right back? Another immaculate display from a man who seemingly has it all in defence and attack.
Well, White may well get his chance after Timber was subbed off at half-time.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Solid as a rock and building a real partnership with Partey in midfield. Had a chance to drive forward just before the half hour mark but his pass to Saka was cut out.
THOMAS PARTEY – 8
So consistent at the moment, something Arsenal fans have not seen from the Ghanaian midfielder in a long time owing mostly to injury.
Made some crucial interceptions and showed real composure playing out from deep.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 8
One of Arsenal’s most important players right now. Since his red card at Man City, he has notched a goal and an assist – the latter here for Havertz to open the scoring with a perfectly-timed cross.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
After an early shot over the bar from a trademark cut inside, the England international had a slight drop off in influence before his scuffed free-kick flew in untouched from out wide.
Still, he gave Mendes a torrid time at left-back. Even PSG manager Luis Enrique watched on at times in awe inside his technical area.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
A quiet night for the Brazilian following his first goal since March against Leicester, which may have been down to a big collision with Gianluigi Donnarumma in the first few minutes.
Should have made it 3-0 with a volley inside the box after the break but it was straight at Donnarumma. Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
KAI HAVERTZ – 9
Brave and brilliant to head in from Trossard’s teasing cross, despite the onrushing lump that is Donnarumma trying to take his head off.
Almost had an assist too with a cute lay-up for Martinelli in the box. The striker-midfield debate should be over – Havertz is a top-class centre forward.
SUBS:
JAKUB KIWIOR (TIMBER, 45) – 7
Did what was expected of him at left-back. Produced a good recovery tackle on Kang-in Lee in the box.
MIKEL MERINO (PARTEY, 64) – 7
Finally, a debut for the Spaniard. Some neat touches under pressure, slotting in seamlessly next to Rice.
GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD, 74) – 6
Looked desperate to impress having struggled for starts so far and that looks to be working against him – things just aren’t clicking.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (SAKA, 92) – N/A
The 23-year-old joined CBS after the game to discuss Arsenal’s chances of silverware this season.
And Saka set his teammates the goal of ending their two-decade-long Premier League drought.
CBS pundit Thierry Henry, who was a star man in Arsenal‘s last title-winning team in 2003-04, asked Saka: “Do you think it is important this year to win the title?”
The England star nodded before answering: “I don’t want to put too much pressure on us but I do think that this is the year.
“I think we’ve been close the last two years and we’re getting closer, but this hopefully will be the year.”