Keane ignites the 'Club v Country' debate

, 17 November, 91comments  |  Jump to most recent
Irish No 2 accuses Martinez of pressurising players

"I worry that he (McCarthy) is under lots of pressure, particularly from Everton’s point of view" — Roy Keane
Irish assistant manager Roy Keane has made some astounding claims that Everton are putting ‘pressure' on their Republic of Ireland contingent to put club before country when it comes to their availability.

Speaking particularly in reference to James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman who have been unavailable for some of their country's Euro2016 qualifiers because of injury this season, Keane says that "balance" is needed from Everton.

"I worry that he (McCarthy) is under lots of pressure, particularly from Everton's point of view," Keane said on Sunday in the wake of Friday's defeat to Scotland, a match that the 24 year-old midfielder missed with a hamstring problem.

"Because every time there is an international match it does seem to be Seamus and James under lots of pressure. They're turning up or they mightn't turn up, or they're struggling," he observed.

"You always get the impression from Everton that Seamus and James are both barely able to walk, that type of thing. "So, when they actually turn up and they are walking through the reception, 'Praise the Lord, it's a miracle'."

Keane is sufficiently sceptical that he feels a face-to-face meeting with the Everton boss would be beneficial to come to some sort of agreement over the availability of players who are important members of Ireland's squad.

"There has to be, I think, some sort of sit-down conversation and say, 'Listen, I think Martin's been more than good enough here, particularly the friendlies, but these are big qualifying matches now'," Keane continued..

"Roberto Martinez has to look after his club and he is probably thinking they have European games. Roberto, I don't think, has ever played senior level at international level and maybe he doesn't appreciate how big it is for us and how big the games are for us," he added.

McCarthy left the field at Sunderland last Sunday with his leg heavily strapped but, after not taking part in training with the Irish squad, he is believed to be in contention for Everton's match against West Ham next weekend.

Quotes sourced from Daily Mail



Reader Comments (91)

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Colin Glassar
1 Posted 17/11/2014 at 01:43:33
Roy, the day you pay our lads there wages or are prepared to pay us massive compensation if they get injured during International duty, then you can threaten them in your usual loutish manner.

Until then, shut the fuck up!!

James Flynn
2 Posted 17/11/2014 at 01:46:04
I get a kick out of Keane. He's fun.
Brian Cleveland
3 Posted 17/11/2014 at 01:47:50
He wasn't watching the end of our last game when McCarthy was strapped up and limped off at the end of the game. I think he would have been taken off if we hadn't used all three subs... and what kind of crappy comment is "I'll give it a go"... what is the point of that to anyone? It doesn't help player, club or country to limp onto a pitch and limp off again five minutes later.

The only thing we have in common Roy is that we're all bored with how long it takes to get out of our treatment rooms after an injury!

Gavin Ramejkis
4 Posted 17/11/2014 at 01:54:02
Country never pays for the medical bills or impact on a league season for loss of a player in the meaningless drivel which is internationals.

Roy – do one, you muppet.

Michael Penley
5 Posted 17/11/2014 at 01:57:40
"Some times it may be up to the player to say, 'Listen, I'm going to try and train, whatever my club manager says or whatever the doctor says or whatever the scan says' because you do know your own body,"

If that's not putting pressure on players, I don't know what is!

Jay Harris
6 Posted 17/11/2014 at 02:03:38
Typical half wit comment from a desperate man now that Ireland fucked up in Scotland.

You can't go round intimidating managers the way you used to do players and referees, Roy.

Give it a rest and have some respect for a club that provides 4 players for the ROI.

Tony J Williams
7 Posted 17/11/2014 at 02:40:14
Do you mean like when Gibson gets sent home injured yet again after playing for his country... fucking nugget — shut the fuck up!
Minik Hansen
8 Posted 17/11/2014 at 03:07:01
And look what happened to Costa during the World Cup.
Roger Helm
9 Posted 17/11/2014 at 03:26:27
Typical of Keane to diss RM for not having played internationally (for Spain by the way not Ireland), ignoring the fact that he (RM) is a far better manager than Keane ever was, or ever will be.
David Ellis
10 Posted 17/11/2014 at 05:14:05
But why just mention two of the four players Everton provide to Ireland? If Roberto was systematic about feigning injury presumably it would be for all four of them, or could it be... you know... we only withdraw the ones who are... well... injured like.

And yes, Roberto did not make the Spain side as a player... and Wenger did not play for France... Ferguson did not play for Scotland, Kendall did not play for England, Mourinho managed one cap for Portugal... what was Keano's point again?

Paul Andrews
11 Posted 17/11/2014 at 06:33:39
Gavin,

Be careful. Roy didn't stand no messing from the lad in the hotel last week. He was 60 plus years of age and about 5 foot tall by the way.

Kunal Desai
12 Posted 17/11/2014 at 07:12:15
Roy Keane ... how could we forget 'a footballing managerial genius'? Sssshhh – zip it, Roy and concentrate on playing puppet master to labouring Lambert and struggling Villa.
Helen Mallon
13 Posted 17/11/2014 at 07:16:09
He, he – I just have to laugh at Roy. He was a poor manager, anyone who drinks Guinness can play for the Republic – and didn't Gibson get injured and sidelined for over six months playing for Ireland?

Silly man.

Andrew Ellams
14 Posted 17/11/2014 at 07:49:07
Me, me, me – everybody look at me.

Biggest attention seeker in football.

Pipe down, Princess!

Stephen Doyle
15 Posted 17/11/2014 at 07:52:24
It's funny how Roy is now so arsed about players turning up for his country when he walked out on Ireland just before a World Cup.

To part use a quote from Keane; You can stick International football up your bollocks.

James Hughes
16 Posted 17/11/2014 at 08:05:08
Well said, Mr Doyle, you beat me to it.

Jim Bennings
17 Posted 17/11/2014 at 08:16:22
Is anyone else getting sick of hearing Roy Keane sounding off since this book came out? Talk about feeling the need to play to the media or what?

I'm getting tired of seeing and hearing this "I play the hard man, I never smile, nothing bothers me... blah blah blah". To be honest, he's just coming across now like some moody teenager who can't get what they want. He feels the need to live up to this image with that scruffy fucking beard and the miserable gob on him all the time.

Fact is he was a great player but as a manager and coach he's been a disaster, whether it be at Sunderland, Ipswich or Villa. Players don't respect him because people don't like a manager who's a a bully and has too much to say.

Alex Ferguson got away with it because he got results as a manager... Keane has NOT!!

So Roy, just stick to your own team and next time you're having a mood swing, you miserable fucker, just remember the money you're paid in football and the fact that as a manager/coach, you're living off what you did as a player mate.

Great player... Shit man manager... end of story.

Erik Dols
18 Posted 17/11/2014 at 08:20:41
Stephen Doyle beat me to it. Is this the same Roy Keane that walked out of the National team just before a World Cup?

Yeah, he's the right person to talk about "how big it is for us and how big the games are for us" when it comes to international football.

Drew Shortis
19 Posted 17/11/2014 at 08:23:07
I may be wrong but I'm sure I heard somewhere that, if a player gets injured on international duty, the country's FA pays compensation (players wages) which I guess they have insurance to cover (IE Welsh FA for Bale!). Don't quote me on that though.
Dave Roberts
20 Posted 17/11/2014 at 08:49:15
Incredible, isn't it? Keane needs to look around and count how many players Everton contribute to international teams of various nations and at all levels. Off the top of my head, I can only think of Osman, Distin and Hibbert from the Premier League squad who are not called upon. So does he think Everton are picking on just Ireland for some reason?

To be honest, I'd be bloody annoyed if Everton medical staff were not checking on our players when on International duty. These players represent a huge financial and emotional investment for the club and the supporters and they can't be just handed over to some other group of medical staff to do what they want with.

In my view, Keane is just one angry prick and needed someone to be angry about because yet another team he is involved with is failing.

Ignore him, Roberto.

Declan O'Shaughnessy
21 Posted 17/11/2014 at 08:59:11
Drew, I think it's a combination of Fifa and the country's FA that pays compensation for injuries. I know the amount they pay has been increased in recent years, but I think it still doesn't cover the full cost of the contract whilst the player is injured.

Personally, and this is just my opinion, I've always believed in country before club. That's just the way I am. I believe players should consider it an honour to play for their country, and should do everything they can to do so. But, if a player isn't fit, then a player isn't fit. McCarthy clearly wasn't fit for the game against Scotland, and Ireland had their own medical team assess him. They kept assessing him all week and he couldn't play a full part in training. So they sent him home.

I can only assume Keane is trying to deflect attention away from the nature of Ireland's defeat against Scotland. It was, truly, one of the worst displays of "football" that I have ever seen. If Von Trapp had served that up, the media would have gone to town on him. Because it was O'Neill (or O'Jesus as I'm starting to think people back here see him), it was glossed over and Scotland have been praised for a "great" performance. Keane might also be trying to deflect attention from his latest dust-up in a hotel bar.

People outside Ireland probably won't remember, but Roy the Boy had quite the reputation back here for missing friendlies. He was once very loudly, and very roundly, booed at Landsdowne Road because of his attitude to friendlies (and playing for Ireland in general). I guess these days he's blaming Lord Ferg for all that.

I'll always admire Keane as a player (and dear god I wish we had someone like him now), but as a person he's either (a) a complete tosser or (b) seriously mentally unstable. Or a combination of the two.

Geoff Evans
22 Posted 17/11/2014 at 08:58:28
Just concentrate on doing your usual fantastic job at club level, Roy.

As far as international level is concerned, there's no need to feign injury, just tell the manager he's crap and walk out, even if the manager then takes over a team you managed and turns them from relegation fodder and into promotion challengers with a fraction of the money you were given.

In other words, shut the fuck up (address provided if you want to come and end my career).

Patrick Murphy
23 Posted 17/11/2014 at 09:10:34
I for one am getting a little tired of various people having a go at Everton's players – first, Gordon McQueen stoking up the hatred for the Scotland v Ireland match re McGeady and McCarthy, a sly dig by Shilton about England's defence, and now Roy Keane (who generally I don't mind) having a go at Roberto and his medical team. There is for some reason a campaign being orchestrated to undermine Everton FC in the media – have a look at Grand Old Team's thread about the Daily Mirror and its columnists in recent months.

Is it because Moyes failed at Manchester United? Are they worried that Roberto might do a proper job of trying to return Everton into the big-time? Or is it because we are not as financially powerful as those other rich clubs in the division and therefore an easy target?

Whatever the reason, it is about time the club stood up for itself and let these detractors know that Everton FC – just like all the other clubs in the Premier League – have a duty of care towards their players and that will not be compromised by big-mouth ex-players and journalists with an axe to grind.

Trevor Lynes
24 Posted 17/11/2014 at 09:31:22
You guys are doing what Roberto would never do – Rise to the bait!

Ferguson has taught Keane really well and the man comes across as always angry in the same way. When he played, he badgered referees along with his Man Utd cohorts and this went unpunished in those days... unlike Sunderland against us just recently.

Ross Edwards
25 Posted 17/11/2014 at 09:24:09
From the man who let his country down and put his own inflated ego before his team mates by walking out on the World Cup squad in 2002, this is sheer hypocrisy.

But then again, what more do you expect from this intimidating bully, who spends more time slagging people off in his press conferences or in his ghost-written books than he does working with the players?

As a manager, he was a complete failure and constantly fell out with his players at Sunderland. Actually, it would have been interesting to see how Keane the manager would have managed Keane the player. I'm sure he would have done anything in his power to stop his players going off to international duty.

He has a number of grudges to bear and constantly attacks anybody with a pulse these days. He then points out that Martinez doesn't understand these big games as he didn't get any caps for his country. Well Roy, that is correct, but neither did Arsene Wenger or Jose Mourinho. Look at how successful they've been.

The amount of caps you win doesn't bear any reflection on your managerial ability, as Keane himself can testify. He was sacked after barely a year at Ipswich, leaving them in the relegation zone, and as for Sunderland, we can point to one game in particular. Yes. 7-1 eh Roy?

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realise the kind of character Keane is. He walked out on his country at the World Cup, intentionally ended a player's career purely out of a non-existent revenge, fell out with his players as a manager, and essentially talked his way out of his Man United contract by criticising his own teammates, manager and fans.

So when he talks about character and loyalty when he does his daily rant on SAF, maybe he should take a hard look at himself first.

Andrew Cunningham
26 Posted 17/11/2014 at 09:54:30
All this coming from a wanker that walked out on his country in their hour of need. Just crawl under a rock and fuck off, Keane!!
Liam Reilly
27 Posted 17/11/2014 at 09:58:40
"Anyone who drinks Guinness can play for the Republic"

Idiotic and ignorant comment.

Rob Newling
28 Posted 17/11/2014 at 09:59:15
Not the first to get a kicking from Roy! James (2) ;-)
Mick Quirke
29 Posted 17/11/2014 at 10:02:33
And if you have an issue with Marti­nez, get on the phone or go through your manager. Don't go moaning to the Press.
Rob Newling
30 Posted 17/11/2014 at 10:05:32
Could always send Big Dunc round to have a word!! Reckon that would put him back in his box .
Jim Bennings
31 Posted 17/11/2014 at 10:07:49
One flew over Keano's nest!
Tony J Williams
33 Posted 17/11/2014 at 10:18:19
"Anyone who drinks Guinness can play for the Republic"
Idiotic and ignorant comment.

Still funny though, Liam.

Kev Johnson
34 Posted 17/11/2014 at 10:13:02
Fair point, Liam (27). Yeah, there was the Cascarino fiasco, but that was an exception. The reality is that the Irish Diaspora has meant many people in Britain have Irish ancestry. Nowhere is that more true than Liverpool, as we know. It does raise some interesting issues, though. Three of my grandparents were Irish, but (if I’d been blessed with footballing prowess) not in a million years would I have played for Ireland – it’s just not my country; I feel English.

I’m not sticking up for Helen – it was a silly remark – but if she’d made it in the bar over a couple of drinks, you’d probably have laughed it off. Written down, it looks bad. I’m sure she meant no harm – although as an Irishman you’re probably sick and tired of "harmless jokes" against the Irish, and I can see where you’re coming from on that.

As for Keane, goodness me, what a bullying fool that man is.

Mark Boulle
35 Posted 17/11/2014 at 10:24:59
I largely agree with everything that has been said about Keane's comments so far, but (I'm afraid there has to be one)...

I appreciate that a number of TWers are not bothered by England. I am however, and it made my blood boil when Raheem Sterling, as far as I'm concerned quite clearly under duress from somebody at the Shite HQ, cried off starting an England qualifier in October.

For better or worse, Sterling is currently one of England's more important players and was needed him in the side that day given how rubbish the national team generally is. I cannot for one second believe that Sterling, with the youthful exuberance and boundless energy of a 19-year-old and at the time only having played a handful of games this season, would have voluntarily excluded himself from an England match. I am therefore certain that undue influence was exerted over him by somebody at LFC.

I am always worried when our players go off on international duty. I accept it has rebounded on us badly on a few occasions, Gibson being a prime example. I would hate to think though that anyone at Everton was in any way attempting to stop a player playing for his country in a tournament qualifier (friendlies are another matter) if fit – after all, it should be the greatest honour a player can receive. The fact the game is so skewed now that some don't perceive it that way is a great shame.

Tony J Williams
36 Posted 17/11/2014 at 11:10:23
The simple fact is, if he isn't fit, he doesn't play. It's not rocket science.

The daft bell end is moaning... after their own medical experts had examined him and confirmed he wasn't fit to play.

As I said before (and I apologise for my swearing) the man is a fucking nugget.

Christopher Wallace
37 Posted 17/11/2014 at 11:04:44
Liam

She was obviously joking – I thought it was funny.

Anyway, Keane can just shut the fuck up. Villa and Ireland are both shit and he’s well involved in both debacles.

Aidan Wade
38 Posted 17/11/2014 at 11:00:44
Nothing to worry about from a blue perspective. From a green one, my only worry is that Roy "Time-Bomb" Keane will ultimately alienate good Irish players like Coleman and McCarthy with his typical black-white world view.

Either you are with Keane 100% (and everything is only ever about Roy) or you are against him.

Anyway. It's only a matter of time before we lose a game and Keane turns the verbals on O'Neill's selections or tactics and shortly thereafter by mutual consent, Keane's mouth will be sent to the back page of the Sun where it belongs.

No, I haven't forgotten Saipan... is it obvious?

Mark Stone
39 Posted 17/11/2014 at 11:22:01
Don’t have a problem with Helen’s comment at all. Just humour, lighten up. Besides, we are talking about the same Irishman who kicked off that the Yorkshireman with 57 Ireland caps shouldn’t be the Ireland manager as he isn’t Irish; now kicking off about a young Scottish lad not being available to play for Ireland.
Peter Thistle
40 Posted 17/11/2014 at 11:26:17
I really wish someone would knock Keane out cold. Send Duncan to the Irish training camp to "talk" to him, see how he gets on then.
Tony J Williams
41 Posted 17/11/2014 at 11:40:02
Let Bobby reply with something along the lines of calling him a Number 2.

Can't hack it as a proper manager so now is hiding behind Lambert and O'Neill... nugget.

Mike Oates
42 Posted 17/11/2014 at 11:37:51
It's no wonder Keane has been a managerial disaster. His "Tell it as it is" attitude, his "I'm right, everyone is wrong" is from an era long gone.

The world is not black and white, it's multicoloured, what you may feel is absurd could well be seen as correct by others.

Hey, thinking about it... it's a bit like ToffeeWeb comments – sorry, Roy!

Ernie Baywood
43 Posted 17/11/2014 at 11:42:17
Roy Keane's job to advance the Irish National team. Roberto's job to advance Everton.

If anyone on here doesn't believe that club managers will try to pull players out at the slightest twinge then they're naïve. The same applies if you think national teams won't happily take a short term punt on fitness.

Keane isn't anti-Everton in doing this. Bobby isn't anti-Irish by trying to pull them out. It's just competing priorities playing out in the media.

Up to the players to decide on where their priorities lie. If it was me, it would be club over country but I'll respect anyone who feels strongly enough about their national team to put themselves and their career on the line for them, as Timmy used to do.

Eugene Ruane
45 Posted 17/11/2014 at 11:27:56
Aiden Wade (38) - Absolutely nailed, it IS all about him.

If Dr Melfi was appalled by Tony Sopranos brain-droppings, she'd be sitting open-mouthed listening to Keane's narcissistic, 'I'm the victim' bollocks.

Tony (33) - "Anyone who drinks Guinness can play for the republic" Idiotic and ignorant comment - Still funny though, Liam."

Well humour is... subjective – personally I didn't find it funny when I first heard it (which was sometime between the Euros 1988 and World Cup 1990).

Possibly the reason I couldn't see humour is that for me, the 'joke' only works if the team you are rooting for, aren't guilty of exactly the same thing.

Well let's see – John Barnes wasn't born in England... Neither was Terry Butcher. Or Owen Hargreaves, Tony Dorigo, Matt Le Tissier, Cyrille Regis, Luther Blisset, John Salako, Raheem Stirling, Graeme Le Saux, Wilfred Zaha...

[And don't get me started on 'English' cricket teams over the years.]

Pablo Connelly
46 Posted 17/11/2014 at 12:15:32
I wonder if he would be so vocal if they were Aston Villa players?

Seriously though, why should we care what the Irish Number 2 thinks? Forget the player he was, now he's insignificant and desperate to to hang on to his public persona.

In terms of stakeholders that Roberto has to maintain a working relationship with, Keane doesn't even get on his C-list. The man has zero influence on anything any more and it clearly rankles with him.

Alan Humphreys
47 Posted 17/11/2014 at 12:45:53
For an assistant manager he sure does all the talking. What's Martin O'Neills role in their set-up?

Liam Reilly
48 Posted 17/11/2014 at 12:08:18
Kev (#34):
"If I'd been blessed with footballing prowess, not in a million years would I have played for Ireland – it's just not my country; I feel English"

Of course you do. I spent 20 years away from Ireland with my career but never felt anything other than Irish and, although my kids were both born in Ireland, if they If they had been born in the UK or Europe, they would still be Irish.

It's a nonsense that Ireland is the only country that takes advantage of this law; Scotland is just as bad and England should look at it's Cricket or Rugby teams.

Brian Hennessy
49 Posted 17/11/2014 at 12:45:44
"Roberto, I don't think, has ever played senior level at international level and maybe he doesn't appreciate how big it is for us and how big the games are for us,"

Yea Roy, it doesnt come much bigger than the World Cup and we all know a certain lad from Cork who threw his toys out of the pram a few years back so he could go home and walk the dog.

Glad to hear Roberto is doing his job and looking after Everton's interests...

Colin Glassar
50 Posted 17/11/2014 at 13:43:15
Declan 21, I agree with you that players should feel honoured to play for their countries but at the same time if they feel an injury coming on (groin, hamstring, calf etc...) then it's their responsibility to say, "I don't feel fit to play".

One thing is playing for your country; another is being careless with your physical well being.

Generally, I like Keane but he's being a tosser about this.

Alan McMillan
51 Posted 17/11/2014 at 13:48:02
I agree fully with Keane. Sick notes come out way too easily for these two.

As much as RM is looking after Everton's interests, so too is Keane looking after Ireland's. These players, like all of our other internationals, signed contracts with Everton; Everton should therefore ensure their investments are properly insured, as should the respective football associations.

There has to be a way to balance the needs of club vs country, but with the influence money has on footballing matters these days, the money will almost always win out.

Tony Hill
52 Posted 17/11/2014 at 14:04:55
Keane is an embarrassment to the Republic and will shortly be moved on.
James Newcombe
53 Posted 17/11/2014 at 14:37:18
I'll always have a soft spot for Keane. Singing KEANO, KEANO, WHAT'S THE SCORE? at the tail end of a 7-1 win against Sunderland, will forever live in my memory!
Dominic Tonge
54 Posted 17/11/2014 at 14:23:07
I agree that there should be a sit-down with the Everton staff and Roy Keane. Mainly so we can listen to his opinion before reminding him of a few things. One is he nearly joined us; secondly, he himself kicked off at a World Cup and ended up watching the whole thing in-between dragging his flea-bitten mutt round Alderley Edge. The third thing would be HIS sterling record as a manager. The fourth would be the rest of our players flying off to represent different countries regularly.

Lastly I would like to have it pointed out that the Irish medical staff supported the Everton standpoint this time round. I would then ask him to leave and tell him he isn't welcome back at Goodison in ANY capacity and he should shove his opinion up his craic.

Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
55 Posted 17/11/2014 at 16:12:05
I've added a couple of links up top:

Bill Kenwright talking on Sky about Keane saying 'stupid things'. (Not much there really)

And a transcript from the press conference that perhaps adds some context in terms of Keane's er... strained relationship with the journalists.

Tony McNulty
56 Posted 17/11/2014 at 16:13:00
I am surprised Bill has now got onto the pitch on this one. There are many issues he could have picked to comment on, but this is a strange choice (maybe a slow Monday at Kenwright Productions).

It has recently been highlighted that Ferguson would agree bargains with national team managers - you can't have him this time but you can have him next. That the outfit paying the wages is calling the tune is fairly obvious isn't it? And whilst the wage-paying club may choose to risk a half-fit player, they are less likely to want to have one of their stars risked for an international match. And isn't that what we the club's fans would prefer?

Patrick Murphy
57 Posted 17/11/2014 at 16:22:10
Tony - I'm glad BK has made a comment and defended his manager who it was who Keane was having a go at. Probably the only reason that Bill has commented is because he was unveiling Graham Stuart and Ian Snodin as Ambassadors of Everton FC alongside Graeme Sharp.
Tony McNulty
59 Posted 17/11/2014 at 16:47:20
You're probably right, Patrick.
Steavey Buckley
60 Posted 17/11/2014 at 16:37:31
What can be most annoying for Premier League managers is to have meaningless international friendlies played as well as qualifying international matches. At least the Belgium FA had their meaningless international friendly match played in the same week as their qualifying match; whereas the English FA and Scottish FA are having their meaningless match the same week as the Premier League resumes. Putting added burden on Premier League teams.

The only way to solve Club v Country is for international FAs to buy players from clubs and pay them their salaries, then loan them back to their clubs. Until this happens, international FAs should be grateful to able to borrow players from club sides.

Paul Andrews
61 Posted 17/11/2014 at 17:11:28
Roy Keane is a bully.

Smacks everyone around until he gets fronted.
Remember Joe Parky playing against him?

Brian Harrison
62 Posted 17/11/2014 at 17:04:44
As I understand it all International teams can request that any player has to join the squad so they can be assessed by that Country's own medics. So seeing Coleman played and McCarthy was looked at by Ireland's own medical people then I don't know what all the fuss is about. You could ask Keane how many times did his team mate Giggs even attend Welsh get togethers as he hardly played for Wales at all whereas Bale seems to always turn up.
Tony J Williams
63 Posted 17/11/2014 at 17:13:48
Eugene, may be repetitive for you but it's the first time I have heard it so it's funny to me.

(Your post has only just popped up; hence the delay)

Keane's interview shows all you need to know about him. Bully and I applaud the journo hack for keep going at him. the question was barbed but it was a genuine one, one Keane just didn't want to answer so started the hard man routine again.

First time in a long time I have smiled and liked what Kenwright has said.

Tony Marsh
64 Posted 17/11/2014 at 18:18:09
The European qualifiers are the most pointless on the planet and serve no purpose at all. San Marino, Luxemburg etc are just as bad now as they were 25 years ago. There is no progression for these countries. The gulf between the elite nations and the smaller ones is getting bigger, not smaller.

The top sides – Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium etc should all go straight through to the finals while the minnows – San Marino, Liechenstien, N Ireland, England etc go in a mini league: top 4 go through.

Who wants to watch the likes of Holland putting 6 past some school teachers and bakers like we witnessed last night? Do one, Keane, you bellend.

Geoff Evans
65 Posted 17/11/2014 at 18:15:57
Roy Keane, a thug with a big mouth hiding inside the privileged world of football. Couldn't manage a pub in the centre of Dublin giving away free Guiness.
Go walk your dog.
Rob Halligan
66 Posted 17/11/2014 at 18:42:37
If I had my way (which clearly I haven't) I would stop our players playing for their country. I have no interest whatsoever in international football. I remember back in 1986 a certain Welsh goalkeeper breaking his ankle while playing for Wales. It has been highly regarded since, the absence of Southall cost us the double that season, being runners up in league and FA Cup to the shite.
Paul Ferry
67 Posted 17/11/2014 at 19:05:12
Our beloved chairman is giving Â’a big interviewÂ’ after 8 on 5-live.
Rob Halligan
68 Posted 17/11/2014 at 19:05:15
Even Roy Hodgson has had a go regarding Leighton Baines's injury. Blaming it on the fact that Everton have played too many games recently. Well fucking unlucky, Roy. I support Everton and want all our best players available for all our games. I couldn't give a shit about England.
Trevor Lynes
69 Posted 17/11/2014 at 19:10:31
We are not playing too many games. Successful teams played over 70 games a season without as many subs as today.

The media tends to twist anything an England manager says to get the readers to respond.

David Donnellan
70 Posted 17/11/2014 at 19:13:17
Everything that can be said about Keane has been said in the above posts; he is clearly a hypocrite with a short memory. At lot of it smacks of sour grapes after losing to Scotland, directing his ire at Martinez & Everton, instead of keeping his own house in order.

When I first got into football as a nipper, it was through Everton. I pretended I was Graeme Sharp in the playground. England never entered my mind and, to this day, I couldn't give a fig about international football; it means absolutely nothing to me, I only follow Everton. I do like watching the World Cup a little bit though... that's about it.

I mean, up until a few years ago, the England team contained Gerrard, Carragher & Owen (to name a few) in the same team! I despised these players & would never cheer them on & just because they wear an England shirt. I'm meant to get behind them? It may sound small minded & tribal of me, but I am only interested in Everton – international football has never grabbed me.

Peter Fearon
71 Posted 17/11/2014 at 19:46:04
How can that two-faced hypocritical bastard bring up loyalty in international football when he walked out on his country, turned his back on Ireland, in 2002 in the World Cup? He stabbed his manager in the back and stabbed his country in the back and stabbed their supporters in the back.

Club vs country? Roy Keane has only ever been loyal to one thing: Roy Keane, first last and always. We should send Duncan Ferguson to the meeting he wants to have. Keane doesn't have the balls to turn up.

Ian Bennett
72 Posted 17/11/2014 at 20:02:58
O'Neill has distanced himself from Keane's comments. I guess he should stick to collecting in the cones and handing out the water.

In other news, Ledson scored a cracker against Poland for England in the under-18s.

Kieran Riding
73 Posted 17/11/2014 at 20:27:28
I read Keane's comments in my head using an Irish accent. I find they make a bit more sense that way.

He has a point about Seamus and his injury recently; there was very little official news given out by the club about it, most on here thought it was just a bang on the head at first and knew nothing about the other injury.

The whole Club v Country thing is tough to manage. If Jags got injured in a nothing game tomorrow, we would be in shit street as a club.

Like I said, I think Keane has a point about club managers having meetings with country managers, but he's worded it very badly. (Hence why he get help from Roddy when writing his books!)

Andy Crooks
74 Posted 17/11/2014 at 20:43:51
I don't care much for Roy Keane but surely he is entitled to voice his concerns. I would prefer that Everton players had a rest but it won't be happening. Martin O'Neill is a decent man who I believe will be fair with club managers.

I don't see the relevance of Keane's managerial record or his walking out on Ireland. He wants good Everton players to be available and is gutted when they are not.

Paul Dark
75 Posted 17/11/2014 at 21:31:28
Keane is a vindictive and nasty man thoroughly steeped in the Man Utd tradition of cheating, lying and unscrupulousness.

The irony is that for decades Man Utd have withdrawn players regularly from international duty, only for them to play a few days later for their club.

Keane is a bit thick too, doesn't help.

I have contempt for this man and his former club.

COYB!

Colin Grierson
76 Posted 17/11/2014 at 21:43:23
As an England fan It is always disappointing when we are unable to field our strongest players in vital games. That emotion would only be heightened by being involved in the set up. I feel Keane's comments have relevance but he is hardly a wordsmith.
John Malone
77 Posted 17/11/2014 at 22:10:35
What an arl woman! What happened to being a man and picking up the phone and having a word?

All this from the shithouse who walked out on his country on the dawn of a World Cup!

Gerard Carey
78 Posted 17/11/2014 at 23:00:03
Was always a bully, nothing changes. Could not hack it as a manager, can be depended on to put both feet into that mouth at once.
Sean Kelly
79 Posted 17/11/2014 at 23:17:30
The only loyalty Keane ever had was to himself. Trigger got more loyalty than Ireland. FFS he's a bully. Limited as a manager and is doomed to fail in the Ireland set up. Football has moved on from the Roy Keane era, thank god. He's just a clown in a circus.

There is plenty that can be written about that gobshite but it only feeds his ego. Fuck him and ignore him. Who the fuck does he think he is? Grade A gobshite.

Colin Glassar
80 Posted 17/11/2014 at 23:54:16
I'd send Tony Bellew round to have a word with him.
Mark Taylor
81 Posted 18/11/2014 at 00:00:42
My go.

Keane is an evil, pig ignorant twat who personifies everything I loathed about Ferguson's Man Utd. I'll be unusual on here in hating them far more than the RS.

He was a undeniably a very effective player, but he has also proved that this status is just as likely lead to you being an absolutely crap manager.

As for the catty comment about RM never having played for his national team, so doesn't understand this level, and that RM is 'thinking that (Everton) have European games', Keane conveniently omits the fact that his management 'talent' has never taken any of his sides close to the exalted levels of European competition.

So what the fuck would he know about that?

Will Firstbrook
82 Posted 18/11/2014 at 03:01:42
It's Roy Keane people! Enough said.
Gerard Sheppard
83 Posted 18/11/2014 at 03:13:35
This Keane rant is just another episode in the history of representatives of Team 33 embarrassing themselves in public.
James Marshall
84 Posted 18/11/2014 at 04:25:33
I like Roy Keane, he makes good copy in a world full of robotic no-marks with nothing to say through fear of upsetting people, or losing a contract or whatever. Fuck that, the world needs people like Keane to keep them talking.

It's like introducing technology into football – the more technology, the less we have to talk about – the less players, managers, pundits speak, the less we have to talk about.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Everton put a certain amount of pressure on players if they're not 100% fit and I don't see what's so wrong with Keane saying that either. You think he just makes things up for the hell of it? No. I think he's just a lot braver and dares tell a bit more about what really goes on behind the scenes within football.

If it was someone else saying it, people would be less inclined to say a lot of the things on this thread.

Of course clubs protect their players.

Geoff Evans
85 Posted 18/11/2014 at 08:42:53
James 84: Respect for what your saying, mate – you make good points and most of what you say, I can't disagree with.

My thread about Keane was more to do with the disrespect shown by him to our manager and fellow professional, and whether RM has played for his country or not (and let's be fair to play for Spain would be a greater achievement than to play for most countries that have far fewer world class players to choose from).

It must be as frustrating for Mr Keane not to have his top players available for important fixtures as it is for every other manager and, by the way, for the supporters who ultimately pay their wages.

Jamie Crowley
86 Posted 18/11/2014 at 14:39:44
I like Roy Keane a lot. I understand his sentiments, albeit delivered awfully.

He's frustrated. His two best players, coming from the same club, are hurt and have been on and off when called for International duty.

He's frustrated and he has it wrong. James and Seamus have been hurt. It's as simple as that; there's nothing wrong with Everton wanting to protect their injured players.

He's outspoken and in a world where everyone reads from the same old boring script and are ever-mindful of how they phrase this sentence, use that word, deliver their message...

From Keane it goes directly from brain to mouth. I for one don't mind that a bit and in fact find it refreshing. So what if he steps in it occasionally.

Jonathan Matthews
87 Posted 18/11/2014 at 16:39:26
Just like when he played at Man Utd, Keane should address his concerns with Roberto directly – not air his crud covered skiddies (nee: Keane's managerial abilities) in public. Here's hoping Keane takes over at LFC soon. :)
Geoff Evans
88 Posted 18/11/2014 at 18:32:01
Jon 87. Please God!
Des Farren
89 Posted 18/11/2014 at 19:31:34
I respect Everton's right to protect their players but also Ireland's need to have their best players available for a crucial match in the group. However, it is well documented that Martinez has a history of discouraging McCarthy from making himself available for Ireland.

Keane was simply voicing an opinion widely held,including by,among others,O'Neill, who stated that McCarthy would play "if he wants to and if he is fit".

Trevor Lynes
90 Posted 18/11/2014 at 20:03:39
Des, the man who complained actually bailed out on Ireland.

Keane is a hypocrite and if you want to go along with him then so be it!

Andy Meighan
91 Posted 18/11/2014 at 20:03:07
Classic marsh. "The minnows, Lichtenstein, San Marino, England, N Ireland.." I loved that, Tony. Spot on, as well!
David Cornmell
92 Posted 18/11/2014 at 21:20:43
Keane on Duncan Ferguson "I used to try and avoid him."
Lol.

Top shout Tony Marsh (#64). IÂ’m all for a preliminary group stage where the minnows can piss about and send the eventual least minnow like minnows to a group stage proper. All top cup competitions seed in stronger teams later at club level. International football should do the same.

Brendan Fox
93 Posted 18/11/2014 at 21:58:11
Roy Keane is entitled to his opinion as I am entitled to mine. The man is a cunt and hypocritical gobshite!

Clearly Keane did not watch the Sunderland game where McCarthy pulled up toward the end of the game and had to play on with a bandaged hamstring because all the subs had been used.

Not sure what Seamus's injury was but he's not exactly had a great run of games for Everton of late with lots of niggling injuries.

Keane's comment about Roberto not understanding international football having not represented his country is of no relevance at all, just a petulant dig. If anything, I get the impression Keane is trying to suck up to the Irish public with the 'these international games mean so much' comment as a way of making up for his disgraceful behaviour walking out on his country, team mates and Irish fans before the 2002 World Cup.

If Keane wishes a meeting to be held then Everton should agree and send Big Dunc as our representative to discuss player availability and to knock fuck out of the gasbag if he pipes up with anymore shite!


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