FOR THE FIRST time since it was announced that Roy Keane would be coming on board as Martin O’Neill’s number two, the former international skipper will this afternoon address the media.
As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail ben@thescore.ie, tweet @thescore_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.
Has there ever been so much interest in the appointment of an assistant manager? I very much doubt it. At 2.30pm, Roy Keane will hold his first press conference as an employee of the FAI and RTÉ News Now, TV3 and Sky Sports News are all showing it live.
Since it was revealed that the ex-Manchester United midfielder had agreed to join Martin O’Neill, Keane has been kept out of the limelight in order to allow the new boss to give his initial thoughts without the inevitable distraction that his number two would bring.
However, the Guttenberg suite in Malahide’s Grand Hotel is right now filling up as the media awaits his arrival.
If you were given the chance, what would you ask Keane about? How it feels to be back? His relationship with John Delaney?
It may be 11 years on, but you can bet the word Saipan will feature.
Roy has entered the building.
Rob Dawson from Sky Sports News with the first question. Did you ever envisage having this role?
“I was always open-minded to it. The fact that Martin asked me to get involved meant it was too good to turn down.”
When it is suggested he was early for training, he adds: “Don’t pat me on the back for turning up to work on time.”
On patching things up with FAI chief executive John Delaney: “I’m quite happy to move on pretty quickly. It was very straight-forward. We wanted what was good for Irish football. The past is the past.”
When asked about fans who may still have an issue with him, Keane says he can’t worry about that.
I spent years trying to please everybody but it’s a waster of time and energy.”
“I have no problem working with people who treat me with respect”
>Would he consider leaving the role if another job came along? He doesn’t think one will but if it did, he would cross that bridge when he got to it.
The opportunity to learn from Martin was an attraction? “Absolutely, 100%.”
While he was out of the game, he looked at what type of managers he would like to work under.
“It doesn’t mean it is going to work out. We’re certainly not a pals act. Hopefully he looking at me thinking I can bring something.”
Did you speak to any ex-team-mates before you took the job?
“Absolutely not. It’s none of their business. That’s a ridiculous question.”
“Despite what you think, I generally got on with a lot of the players that I worked with.”
“You are always learning. That’s the name of the game. If you think you have all the answers, you’re in trouble. I never for once thought I had all the answers.”
Keane was harsh on the team and fans during last year’s European Championships. He says players may have thought they were better than they are.
“People might think I’m crazy but I would have been crazy to to turn this down.”
Keane believes we need to be beating teams in and around us.
“When you look at the Sweden and the Austrias of this world, you always think Ireland shjould be getting the results.
“It’s easy to sit here in front of the microphone. That’s why I always loved playing. I could go out and do the business.”
Last week, Ray Houghton claimed Roy said he believed there were players in the squad that were better than him as a player.
His reply?
“I don’t think I said that. I don’t remember saying that. Maybe Ray had a few pints on him.”
He gets a few laughs before saying that he may have been talking about the players’ potential.
There’s a question about the facilities next.
“The hotel is lovely, food has been excellent. Training ground… no potholes. We have balls. Bibs and everything.”
He grins.
He’s glad to be back in football, which he says he missed. Keane isn’t quite sure about the “bad, bad cop” reference, however.
“I think I’m going to be the good cop. You obviously don’t know Martin as well as you think you do.
“He makes me look like Mother Teresa.”
Our man on the ground Niall Kelly is up with a question, in which he mentions Roy and Mick McCarthy together in the same sentence.
Ken Early of Second Captains then brings up another former manager, Alex Ferguson.
“Everyone has opinions. The issue I’ll have with anyone is when they tell lies about me. I’m not going to defend myself against Alex Ferguson. Today isn’t the day for that.”
Last question goes to RTE’s Tony O’Donoghue. He quizzes Keane on their ultimate goal.
“Let’s cut to the chase. We’re here to qualify. We’re looking forward to the draw and the games coming up.”
And that’s a wrap.
So there you have it. What did you make of it?
