Martinez replies to Keane's nonsense

He is a tremendous ambassador for the club and definitely the most articulate in this premier league. I just hope that our International lads are all fit to play against West Ham as it is a big game for us.

Frightening combination.

Aside from pitch – he is really good for Everton plc (God I wish it wasn't Everton Private Co.)

Naked attempt to gain a spotlight and sell more books. File under attention-seeking mercenary.

My initial reaction was that it does seem out of character, though not the only example recently. With further consideration, I'm pleased that "Nice Guy" Roberto responded solidly when asked in such unequivocal terms.

I don't worry for one second that Roberto will now splatter his interviews with spurious complaints about crap referees, other managers false allegations, opposition players diving etc. I don't worry, because he won't resort to that.

What RM did do was to rightly dismiss the comments attributed to ROI ASSistant Keane (a notorious BIG mouth) as nonsense.

Funny that – despite there being "notes of caution" supplied by Everton regarding all four lads – they still reported. I wonder if other BIG clubs would have done the same?

(Side note here, isn't it odd just how long Sturridge is taking to get over that problem caused by Roy Hodgson "making him train too soon"?)

When are people within the game going to realise this once great footy player has absolutely nothing to offer on the coaching side? He's a constant failure and is always too concerned about carrying on his big hard-case reputation ahead of anything else, I have liked him at times but it's just getting boring now – he's football's version of Jeremy Clarkson.

Well done to Roberto for responding to Keane's criticism without lowering himself to that level of mud slinging.

As for "nonsense", I believe he expressed a view, that ROI management were invariably put on notice of certain players ailments by the club with a view to not releasing them, not for friendlies, but important qualifiers.

Whether Keane was asked to express these views by Martin O'Neill is not known but O'Neill has declined to disassociate himself from them which tells you something. As for being a positive for club or country time will tell.

As an aside, I can't think of another high profile commentator who has been as complimentary of Everton FC over many years as Roy Keane.

"That comes from a source that's got no... I don't know the agenda the person has behind that," said Martinez, "Does that person do it as an ex-player? Does he do it as a fan? Does he do it in his position? Because if the two managers talk it doesn't make much sense for him to do it because of his position. As an ex (Ireland) player we all know what happened."

The Toffees boss revealed that Coleman played in Glasgow with five stitches in a foot injury and defended McCarthy's absence with a hamstring issue that should clear in time for the 24-year-old to play West Ham tomorrow.

"Those players are desperate to play for their country and it's wrong and unfair to put a doubt in the mind of the fans to think that the players could be having second thoughts about representing their country," added Martinez.

"That's maybe something that's happened in the past but I guarantee you that it's not the case in our dressing-room.

"No-one has mentioned that Seamus Coleman played against Scotland with five stitches in his foot. No-one is mentioning that when everyone is aware of it.

"James picked up a grade one hamstring problem against Sunderland. Normally with these injuries they clear between eight and ten days but in that period you are injured. I don't think it is an issue at all."

Martinez grouped Aiden McGeady and Darron Gibson into earlier comments where he insinuated that Keane's observations could somehow tarnish the reputation of 'four incredible characters and four players who just love to play for their country.'

He said he spoke regularly with Martin O'Neill and the pair are expected to chat in the coming days.

But the Toffees supremo claimed that Keane had political reasons for going public.

"I'm sure there is an agenda. I'm sure that there is something behind it," he observed.

"We have a relationship with a lot of people and if you want to speak about anything you just contact the person. Here, that hasn't been the case. Everything is through the media.

"If there is an issue it should be treated with respect and privately to try and get to the bottom of it.

"To come out and make things public could put some of the Irish fans thinking that the players don't want to play or that Everton have stopped some players from playing. That's nonsense. That's ridiculous."

He may have got away with it on the pitch at Man Utd but, in the boardrooms of Sunderland and Ipswich, he failed. He is doomed to fail again as he won't get away with it in boardrooms where the real power is.

Remember the saying, "He who pays the piper calls the tune"? Keane will make headlines, mostly bad ones, as that is his only ability since his playing days.

He is a dishonourable man who played for a dishonourable club applying his woeful standards to a club that has class, dignity and fair play. He doesn't even know that he doesn't know.