West Ham co-owner David Gold has the last laugh over Declan Rice after Martin O’Neill revelation?

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West Ham United starlet Declan Rice has been making the headlines this weekend after a revelation from Ireland manager Martin O’Neill.

Rice shot to prominence last season with West Ham and cemented his place in the first team.

He also enjoyed a meteoric rise on the international scene.

Rice marked his Republic of Ireland debut with a man of the match display.

The former Chelsea youth player has been tipped to be a future Hammers captain.

He started Manuel Pellegrini’s first game in charge of the club at Liverpool.

But he was hauled off at half-time of the 4-0 defeat and has not featured since.

While Rice was making the headlines for the right reasons, David Gold, the co-owner of West Ham, seemed to be doing the opposite.

Last laugh for ridiculed Gold?

Gold told talkSPORT back in May that he hoped new manager Pellegrini could turn Rice into a force to be reckoned with… for England.

“I’m looking forward to the new manager turning Declan Rice into a strong English defender for the future of the England team,” Gold told talkSPORT.

The former Ann Summers owner was roundly criticised by pundits, ridiculed by his own and rival fans, the media and even Roy Keane (talkSPORT).

But it appears Gold could be set to have the last laugh.

That’s after a shock revelation from Rice’s international manager Martin O’Neill.

‘He is taking time to make his mind up’

“England have spoken to him,” O’Neill told BBC Sport when asked why Rice had been omitted from his squad.

“He is taking time to make his mind up.”

Should Rice choose England it would prove Gold does have his finger on the pulse despite his advancing years.

A feather in the cap for the longstanding club owner.

And a lesson learned for those who mocked him.

Now it is over to Rice to make the big decision.