Staunton not ruling out Keane return

[Superhoops]

Quote attributed to Stan in one of this morning's Red Tops that he has not ruled out RMK's return to international football. 'He is still playing and while he is there is no such thing as never'.

Hope it is only paper talk!

[kingp35]

Cant see this happening. Keane has made it pretty clear that he is retired and we should concentrate on bringing the young players into the side. There are plenty of good young central midfield players coming through at the moment and these should be given their chance ahead of Keane

[livehead1]

at the time when keane announced his retirement he was playing for manchester united in the EPL. He was getting much more stretched in games and was under constant pressure to quit the international scene. He could never had enivisaged that he was going to leave manchester united under those circumstances or that timing. I have a feeling if he had known this then he would not have retired from international football.

Forget bringing loads of youth players in whilst leaving keane out. If theres a chance he can be included, bring the youth in, and bring keane in, he can be an asset to their development at the level of international football.

Training with such a talented and experienced player can only benefit these young lads, and if their good enough, they should get picked.

[sligoman]

New Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has left the door open to a possible international return for Roy Keane and a number of other players who have retired from international football in recent times.

Keane, captain Kenny Cunningham and defender Stephen Carr all announced their retirement from the national side after the failure to qualify for the World Cup finals.

Experienced Leeds right back Gary Kelly and Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Dean Kiely are others who stepped down prematurely before the last qualification series.

But Staunton is keeping an open mind on the make-up of his potential squad – even hinting that he would be open to another international return for Celtic midfielder Keane, who was famously denounced by Staunton and new Irish goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly in the wake of his Saipan walk-out four years ago.

Responding to questioning regarding Keane from Pat Kenny on Friday’s Late, Late Show on RTE Television, Stan said: “You don’t know what might happen in the future, you never say never.”

He went on: “We’ll be meeting with players who might have retired to see if they want to come back and play again. If they want to play, then great.

“We’ll also be talking with players who could qualify to play for Ireland through the ‘granny rule’. Some of them might not want to play, and if that’s the case you’ve got to respect their wishes, but we’ll be working on a lot of ways to strengthen the squad over the next few months.”

Staunton’s first game in charge will be against Sweden at Lansdowne Road on February 1st.

[kingp35]

Training with such a talented and experienced player can only benefit these young lads, and if their good enough, they should get picked.

There is only so much you can learn in training. Playing International games is what the young lads need

[livehead1]

There is only so much you can learn in training. Playing International games is what the young lads need
totally agree but there is nothing like learning from the master...which regardless of the opinion of the man, he is a master of the game

[geysir]

The quote from Stan "never say never" was an obvious recycling of a quote attributed to Roy post Saipan. Imo it had no more value than a humorous light dig at Roy.

[eirebhoy]

The quote from Stan "never say never" was an obvious recycling of a quote attributed to Roy post Saipan. Imo it had no more value than a humorous light dig at Roy.
It actually wasn't. Stan was put in an arkward situation by Pat Kenny. He was talking about finding out why the likes of Carr retired and seeing can he get them back. "I'll explore every avenue". Pat then sarcastically asked would he be trying to get Keane back. Stan smiled and tried to wiggle out the best answer.

The paper in question was the Evening Herald btw, anything for a headline.

[Qwerty]

Keane will not play for Ireland again. He only came back last time to clean up his legacy, if 2002 had gone differntly he would have retired then.

Keane is the last player Stan would want in his squad, he was forced into saying the door was open to Keane. It's just a sound-bite.

I am a big fan of Keane ( the player ) but his time is now past. I can see a role for Cunningham in the squad but not as a starter.

[Den Perry]

It actually wasn't. Stan was put in an arkward situation by Pat Kenny. He was talking about finding out why the likes of Carr retired and seeing can he get them back. "I'll explore every avenue". Pat then sarcastically asked would he be trying to get Keane back. Stan smiled and tried to wiggle out the best answer.

The paper in question was the Evening Herald btw, anything for a headline.

Pt in an awkward situation? What was Kenny meant to do? just ask him nice questions? I couldn't believe it when Kenny asked him that (I don't like Kenny,but fair play to him for asking that) and now you say he put Staunton in an awkward position? Don't make me sick

[Den Perry]

Keane will not play for Ireland again. He only came back last time to clean up his legacy, if 2002 had gone differntly he would have retired then.

Keane is the last player Stan would want in his squad, he was forced into saying the door was open to Keane. It's just a sound-bite.

I am a big fan of Keane ( the player ) but his time is now past. I can see a role for Cunningham in the squad but not as a starter.

Well how come Staunton the "Hero" ibn Saipan didn'yt stand by his principles on the Late Late show?

[NeilMcD]

It was a kicking to touch answer by Staunton. It was a safe answer. Fair play to Kenny for asking it but Keane is not going to come back which is fair enough as we need to move on from both keane and Cunningham and Carr and blood new players over the next 9 months. Thanks for the memories Roy.

[eirebhoy]

Pt in an awkward situation? What was Kenny meant to do? just ask him nice questions? I couldn't believe it when Kenny asked him that (I don't like Kenny,but fair play to him for asking that) and now you say he put Staunton in an awkward position? Don't make me sick
So why did Stan shift uncomfortably in his seat? He felt awkward answering the question. Pat put him in an awkward situation. I'm not saying Pat shouldn't have asked the question, I'm saying it as it was.

[thejollyrodger]

Stan sounds like such a bog man on the telly

[FarBeag]

Stan sounds like such a bog man on the telly


What's a bog man then?

[zinedineontour]

stan gave the only real answer he could ... keane wont be back just pat kenny trying to make an issue of something thats not an issue ..

[thejollyrodger]

someone who sounds as though they are from an agricultural background

[Greenbod]

someone who sounds as though they are from an agricultural background

Doesn't make much sense, as bog land does not really make the best agricultural land.;)