Keane hits out at selection “disgrace”

[NeilMcD]

Eh he could easily have answered. "Liam and David are playing great and it suprised me that they were not in the squad but thats Steves choice and good luck to him. Just as I would not like him picking my squad I am not going to try to pick another managers squad but the lads are playing well "

[osarusan]

Roy Keane is a moron and is a disgrace to this country and football in general. Have never had any time for him since he purposefully ended Alf Haaland's career. Keane, scumbag that he is, should never have been allowed back on a football field after admitting to doing that

Come on Jebus. The injury which ender Haaland's career was to his other leg. Even Haaland has said that. It is hard for me to believe that people who have followed this story since it happened still believe that Keane's tackle was the reason, despite comments to the contrary from various people.

It was a disgraceful tackle, but not a career-ending tackle.

[osarusan]

Keane is looking after his players, he's trying to send out a message to guys like Miller and David that they've been playing well this season and in his opinion they shouldn't have been ignored. If asked the Q at a press conference he was hardly going to say "if I was the Irish manager not in a million years would I play those 2 etc etc". It's good management plus a nice dig at the FA and Stan.


Would you say the same thing if Staunton was saying it was a disgrace that an Irish player didnt start at the weekend?

Keane has every right to make his comments, we have every right to comment on them.

[shakermaker1982]

Well I don't think Keane would drop two of his most in form players in a club game so it would never happen!

All club managers look after their own - Fergie always sticks up for Ronaldo (quite rightly too) and I don't see the problem in it personally. Keano is spot on with the Don Given/Connolly situation, maybe he could have kept quiet but that isn't who he is. We know he is an outspoken character and that will always be the case. If Stan is so upset about the comments he should tell Roy to keep his nose out of his business but that would mean stringing a sentence together.

[Billsthoughts]

I think he has every right to comment on the Irish team seeing as he is an Irishman and its as much his team as anyone elses. The comment about connolly and miller is fair enough as none of our strikers are setting the world on fire and nobody has nailed down any of the midfield slots on the basis of their performances in the last few games. I dont know where he is coming from with the Cork comment but cant imagine someone at the press conferance didnt ask him to clarify what he meant. If he heaps pressure on Staunton so what? The only way to alleviate any pressure and answer the critics is to get some good results. That is entirely in Stauntons hands and based on what we have seen so far beyond his limited capabilities.

[NeilMcD]

Well I don't think Keane would drop two of his most in form players in a club game so it would never happen!

All club managers look after their own - Fergie always sticks up for Ronaldo (quite rightly too) and I don't see the problem in it personally. Keano is spot on with the Don Given/Connolly situation, maybe he could have kept quiet but that isn't who he is. We know he is an outspoken character and that will always be the case. If Stan is so upset about the comments he should tell Roy to keep his nose out of his business but that would mean stringing a sentence together.

As I said above he could have stuck up for his players without bringing in a stupid comment about an anti Cork bias. Delusional.

[jebus]

Honestly, hands in air didn't know that Haaland played an international a few days after being chopped down by Keane, or that he came out and said his retirement it wasn't anything to do with the Keane incident. Apologies

Still think Keane is an idiot for going after him in the first place though, and for talking ****e about his pride at the time, so hence I still don't agree with lionelhutz's comment

[strangeirish]

He's still having a go (http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0321/keaner.html).


He explained: 'There's a fine line between loyalty and stupidity. A very fine line. You've got to be loyal to lads who've done okay, but once you keep playing them on the reputation they've built up through the media or because they do lots of interviews, then it's wrong - it's 100% wrong.


Keane berated the team for celebrating after beating San Marino and advised them to take a lesson from Ireland's other national sports sides following their recent successes.
'The FAI, the soccer, can learn a lot from the rugby lads, even the cricket lads. If you go into something believing you're going to get there, then there's a good chance you'll get there,' he said.
'If you think you're not going to get there I guarantee you won't get there. And that definitely comes from the top, the FAI.


On the FAI, he added: 'If you're used to mediocre, that will get through to the players. A "that'll do" attitude has been going on far too long. That'll do the Irish fans. That'll do us. But I think the Irish fans are getting a bit fed up with it.'

[bellavistaman]

the mans a complete genius, what he said bout the f.a.i is spot on. everybody is on here complaining everybody is fed up with the ****e were watching.

[eirebhoy]

Bring on the day he's managing Ireland. I think we'll be waiting a while though.

[limerickblue]

I think that roy keane is dead right in what he is saying, he is irish isnt he, he has as much right to comment as any off s do, but at least his comments get media attention, he seems to be our new voicthe f.a.i f*c*ed around roy keane. so why wuld he hold back, he can show what a shambles they are they are a disgrace. i dont care who from the f.a.i reads this DISGRACE

[NeilMcD]

He is right in most of what he says but the anti Cork thing still does not add up. Maybe he found that when he was there but there is no way that Miller is not in the squad because he is from Cork. Keane is using that as a way of getting at the FAI. There are far more other areas that he could use to vent his anger at them. As I said Stephen Ireland is in the squad and is from Cork. There is no evidence to suggest there is anti cork bias at senior level. What I find sad is that not many people seem to be able to say, some things he say are good and some are rubbish its seems its an all or nothing with Keane. YOu are either with him or against him sort of approach. A lot of posters on here back up rubbish that he says just cause they love him and others attack some bits of sense he says cause they hate him. As we often say on this attack the post not the poster and in this case look at the words not the person saying them.

[Murpholini]

I think that roy keane is dead right in what he is saying, he is irish isnt he, he has as much right to comment as any off s do, but at least his comments get media attention, he seems to be our new voicthe f.a.i f*c*ed around roy keane. so why wuld he hold back, he can show what a shambles they are they are a disgrace. i dont care who from the f.a.i reads this DISGRACE

is that you Roy ? Training finished for the day at Sunderland, it makes sense.

[shakermaker1982]

Keano will be at Man Utd in 3 years time or so. I can really see that happening if he takes Sunderland up and keeps em up for 2 seasons or so.

I'd love him to become Irish manager but he'd never come with the current mob in charge.

[Risteard]

Especially with Clown Doyle getting a call up.
Keane is talking the same crap as Warnock does about his players.

As for a bias, I know fellas from Cork, Lim and Waterford that were involved in the Irish set up and ALL of them said its far easier for the Dub players, mainly to get noticed in the first place, but also to even stay in contact with their coaches. These are 5 different fellas and they all mentioned to various degrees that it was a bit clannish among the Dubs and that this included the staff.

Keane probably remembers similar experience himself in the early days but I don't see any of that in the senior set-up atm.

[Noelys Guitar]

Are the FAI a disgrace? Delaney stated that he would be appointing a "World Class" manager! We have no stadium. And the odd ball behaviour of many of their members down the years (FAI) has definetely had a bad effect on the team. So on that point Keane is right. Keane, Duff, Dunne will never be dropped by Staunton. They play every game no matter how bad their performances. Keane right again.

[NeilMcD]

I think its O Shea and Kilbane who fall into that Category more than anybody of players who are never dropped no matter how bad they are.

[Jerry The Saint]

So much for the Cork thing being sarcastic. Retirement hasn't calmed him completely, he's still fairly unhinged.


(The rabid anti-Corkite Ride Them Rock Solid attitude) definitely doesn't help Liam Miller. If he was further up the country, I'm pretty sure he would be in the Irish squad.

'I don't just say these things. There's no doubt in my mind that Liam Miller being from Cork certainly doesn't help him.'

The Corkonian said his early career was frustrated by Dublin-based officials overlooking him in favour of players from the capital city.

'It happened to me when I was 17, 18 years of age, being in Irish squads with youth teams, not getting a game and lads ahead of you, who are still a year younger than you, who could have played a year later, getting a game,' he said.

'It happened to me at Bray Wanderers when I played France for the Irish under-16s or 17s - lads getting on in front of me who still had another year under age, the following year.

'The lads who got ahead of me that night were from Dublin and the manager that night was from Dublin. I know Steve Staunton's not from Dublin but a lot of the FAI are.'

Asked if Cork-born players had to play better than everybody else to get selected for the national squad, he replied: 'You've hit the nail on the head. Without a doubt.'

Someone needs to tell him that it's not healthy to hang onto these things from his teenage years. He really needs to let it go.

Still, it's nice to see him keeping up the tradition of his annual Guide Dog Rant. :)

[reder]

I think its O Shea and Kilbane who fall into that Category more than anybody of players who are never dropped no matter how bad they are.

Be fair, one of the only players to come out of the San Marino game with any credit was Kilbane. No matter how bad he plays he gives 100% for the team and that is quite unique in our current squad. If we could give all the players in the squad his commitment we would be far far better off!!! How many times has he been "injured" for friendlies?

The anti-Cork rant takes away from everything else Keane is saying. I dont think anyone here buys that line. Its a ridiculous comment which defies any logic, so lets just leave it out of the debate. I live in Cork and its the type of "talk first think later" comment the natives come out with. Someone should just tell him to get a grip, its usually shuts them up.

Liam Miller wasnt good enough to make Sunderlands first XI v Stoke City, why oh why should he be in the squad. Connolly should though, i agree with him there but I suspect our reasons for his inclusion would be slight different.

[Marked Man]

Which is it Roy? Are the FAI an organizational shambles, or have they organized a vast and sinister anti-cork conspiracy?

[Billsthoughts]

The anti-Cork rant takes away from everything else Keane is saying. I dont think anyone here buys that line. Its a ridiculous comment which defies any logic, so lets just leave it out of the debate.
Reder dismisses any hint of anti cork bias amongst the Dubs...

I live in Cork and its the type of "talk first think later" comment the natives come out with. Someone should just tell him to get a grip, its usually shuts them up.
...eh I see.....no bias here then:rolleyes:



Liam Miller wasnt good enough to make Sunderlands first XI v Stoke City, why oh why should he be in the squad. Connolly should though, i agree with him there but I suspect our reasons for his inclusion would be slight different.
Keane tends to rotate a lot of his squad. Miller generally gets good reviews on the Sunderland message boards.

Have to say its sad to see the anti keane anti manu brigade out in force whenever anyone comes out with the truth. must kill them to see what an absolute joke their hero staunton has made of the national team. keanes words about the Irish team are bang on the money. a lot of players not taking responsibility and a mediocre attitude from top to bottom.

[co. down green]

Roy Keane has criticised a number of his former Ireland team-mates ahead of Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales.

Keane has claimed that several Ireland players get picked only because of their media image.

"Once you keep playing them on the reputation they've built up through the media or because they do lots of interviews, then it's wrong," he said.

"There's a fine line between loyalty and stupidity."

Last week, the Sunderland boss blasted Ireland boss Steve Staunton for leaving out Blacks Cats players David Connolly and Liam Miller from his latest Republic squad but it was "senior" players on the receiving end of Keane's latest comments.

"Come Saturday against Wales the senior players - four or five of them - have to step up to the plate. But they've been asked before.

"That's why I don't get bogged down by saying we've got world-class players with Ireland.

"You look at some of our lads at the bigger clubs...none of these players at this moment in time are setting the world alight at their respective clubs."

Keane berated the team for celebrating after beating San Marino and advised them to take a lesson from Ireland's other national sports sides following their recent successes.

"The FAI, the soccer, can learn a lot from the rugby lads, even the cricket lads.

"If you go into something believing you're going to get there, then there's a good chance you'll get there," he said.

"If you think you're not going to get there I guarantee you won't get there. And that definitely comes from the top, the FAI (Football Association of Ireland)."

On the FAI, he added: "If you're used to mediocre, that will get through to the players.

"A 'that'll do' attitude has been going on far too long. That'll do the Irish fans. That'll do us. But I think the Irish fans are getting a bit fed up with it."

Keane repeated his claim that Liam Miller has become the latest Cork-born player to receive a rough deal from Republic of Ireland international teams.

"If he was (from) further up the country, I'm pretty sure he would be in the Irish squad.

"I don't just say these things. There's no doubt in my mind that Liam Miller being from Cork certainly doesn't help him."

[kev mcq]

Well i think he's talking ****e re the whole Cork thing but I have to agree with everything else. The players need to wake up and smell the coffee! Lets hope this motivates them to prove him wrong by putting in a good performance on saturday.:ball:

[Rosco]

throw a few comments in by keane, heap the pressure on and the clamour will come for keane to become ireland manager, play the card i'm from cork and split the country again between republic of ireland and the republic of cork !! whos the winner, his comments were maybe true but ill timed. at the end of the day this country is trying to get to a euro championship and future cv building isnt doing anyone any good regardless of how s***e staunton and delaney are.

[Fester]

Dont agree with the cork thing but I agree with everything else

[Lim till i die]

The only thing more pathetic than Keanes Cork persecution spoofery is the adulation he gets from morons down in "the peeeples republic, like"

Given his history of treachery it might be best for him to keep his nose out of the national team

[Wolfie]

If the Irish players have any bottle they'll respond to Keane's criticism.

He's voicing what a hell of a lot of people believe to be true.

He's doing Stan a favour from a motivational perspective. That is, if the players have it in them to respond.

[Lim till i die]

If the Irish players have any bottle they'll respond to Keane's criticism.

If the players have any "bottle" they shouldn't have to be told


He's voicing what a hell of a lot of people believe to be true.

He's sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong very publicly


He's doing Stan a favour from a motivational perspective.

Again, none of his business.


That is, if the players have it in them to respond.

Why would one of Keanes peers give a rats ar$e what he thinks??

[macdermesser]

actually names the players in question in the quote I read (from today's Guardian)

"I'm sure Steve [Staunton] will say, 'I'll pick what I think is the best team'," Keane said. "If they qualify, then fair enough, you can say 'I got it right'. It's your job as a manager. You've got to pick the right team, you've got to manage. But if you keep picking the same players who aren't performing all the time, that's insanity. You'll get the same results.

"We all know the players I'm talking about. There's a fine line between loyalty and stupidity. A very fine line.

"It will be like that against Wales. The four or five senior players have to step up to the plate. But they've been asked before. Look at some of our players at the bigger clubs. Robbie Keane is doing OK at Tottenham, John O'Shea is in and out at [Manchester] United, Duffer's at Newcastle with Shay. But none of these players at this moment in time are setting the world alight. Also Steve Finnan at Liverpool."


While it would be hard to argue with some of his comments about the FAI or the performances, I think its very poor timing to be honest...

if he cares that much why doesn't he try to change the situation .. either canvass to get the job, get Kerr in place of Delaney (not that I want to see Kerr leaving Pats now that we have him back) ... or shut up or at least refrain from making such comments a couple of days before the match. Would have had much more respect for him 5 years ago, if he had just played the games and retired and made his rant then.

Also, think he is being unfair with Given and Finnan.

Edit: actually reading the quote again, I think he is not including Given. Would be a mad thing to say about our one top class player

[geysir]

Stan has already said that the time for excuses is over, if players don´t perform they will be dropped.

[jbyrne]

keane does this every time he’s over in support of the blind dogs charity. just saying controversial stuff so it makes the headlines and gets publicity for the charity he supports. when over in previous years for the charity he’s had pops at mccarthy, hinted he’d come out of retirement etc just to make the papers. doubt he really believes that cork thing either

[Wolfie]

If the players have any "bottle" they shouldn't have to be told



He's sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong very publicly



Again, none of his business.



Why would one of Keanes peers give a rats ar$e what he thinks??

It strikes me that the team have to be continually cajoled into a performance.

Cyprus was an appalling performance - then a reaction against the Czechs - a few months later another terrible performance against San Marino.

Not exactly giving the impression of a team with an ongoing sense of responsibility, of standards or a team that motivates itself.

Point taken - its Stan's job to motivate the players. I hope he carries on in his heretofore successful attempts to do so.

Keane's peers can choose to acknowledge what he says or dismiss the comments. They can also choose to respond to the unwanted comments by turning the negatives into a committed performance.

[lionelhutz]

Regardless of WHY he said the big players are under performing for Ireland, there's no doubt there's a large amount of truth in it.

John O'Shea has always been shocking for ireland and seems to be indifferent to playing for his country.

Steve Finnan is putting in excellent performances for Liverpool but looks very nervy and uncomfortable with Ireland.

Robbie Keane - well, enoughs been said bout his recent performances already. Itd be brilliant to see him reproduce the hunger and menace he had before and during WC 02.

Duffers has also been inconsistent with Ireland (but not as much as the above). He has produced his spark in the 2nd half against the Czechs and now and again in other games but not as regularly as he used to.

Shay has been unbelievable for Ireland for the past 4 or 5 years and i dnt think Keane would have meant him when talking about the big players

[Lim till i die]

It strikes me that the team have to be continually cajoled into a performance.

Not Keanes job


Cyprus was an appalling performance - then a reaction against the Czechs - a few months later another terrible performance against San Marino.

Agreed to an extent. Still nothing to do with Keane though


Not exactly giving the impression of a team with an ongoing sense of responsibility, of standards or a team that motivates itself.

Again not Roystons problem


Point taken - its Stan's job to motivate the players. I hope he carries on in his heretofore successful attempts to do so.

It really is the lowest form of wit


Keane's peers can choose to acknowledge what he says or dismiss the comments. They can also choose to respond to the unwanted comments by turning the negatives into a committed performance.

Any pro with any bit of self respect wont take the slightest bit of notice IMO

[fitzknows]

Dominic Foley's from cork and he has 9 senior caps for Ireland. If that's anything to go by then the FAI have a bias towards cork. All this s**t about cork lads not getting picked is getting a bit boring. If they really think that why don't they f**k off and form their own international team. I won't miss their bleating and to be honest i don't think anyone else will either. It's like all the s**t-talk about the peoples republic of cork. F**k off and do something about it if you want to be seperate and stop spouting s**t from your holes. The rest of us don't care. It just bothers us that we have to listen to it in those stupid accents.

[Eire06]

Roy Keane is an Irish man and is just as entitled to comment on our national team players and management as we are.
He was asked questions and he answered them saying what a majority of fans agree with..(Bar that cork bias stuff :rolleyes: )

[Jerry The Saint]

The timing is probably the worst thing here. Imagine if the situation was reversed. Say Sunderland fail to get automatic promotion and some ex-Sunderland player came out a couple of days before the playoffs and said that Roy is stupid, is picking the team all wrong and is biased against English players.

It's very quick that he's become such a wise expert (and compared to Staunton he is!) that he feels he has to throw out unsolicited advice. In my opinion, his argument is let down badly by two things:


- The Ride Cork Rock Solid, Pro-Dublin Agenda (led by Staunton - Louth; Robson - Durham; Delaney - South Tipp; MacDonald - Inverness; Kelly - Preston; Devlin - Tosser; etc.)

- The fact that he's going to war over David Connolly and Liam Miller :rolleyes: Honestly, of all players! It's a fair point to argue that they should be there but they've both had plenty of chances.

Indeed, when both Miller and Connolly were going through bad form they both benefited from the managers' "loyalty" in the past as part of a settled squad. It would be completely different if it was a Kevin Nolan for England scenario or similar (sorry for bringing his name up again :) ), where you have a guy who had never been called up and given a chance.

[Billsthoughts]

Not Keanes job



Agreed to an extent. Still nothing to do with Keane though



Again not Roystons problem



It really is the lowest form of wit



Any pro with any bit of self respect wont take the slightest bit of notice IMO

the irony of you defending someones right to make racist comments in another thread and then questioning a former Ireland captains right to comment on the Ireland team in another:rolleyes:
Basically he as an Irishman has every right to comment on what is a farce of a national team set up. at least he does it publicly and not anonomously on the internet like yourself eh?

[gustavo]

He is doing so in the knowledge that he is undermining the role of Staunton just because Staunton didnt select some of his players , which is petty in the extreme.

[NeilMcD]

the irony of you defending someones right to make racist comments in another thread and then questioning a former Ireland captains right to comment on the Ireland team in another:rolleyes:
Basically he as an Irishman has every right to comment on what is a farce of a national team set up. at least he does it publicly and not anonomously on the internet like yourself eh?

Great post Bill.

[Lim till i die]

Basically he as an Irishman has every right to comment on what is a farce of a national team set up. at least he does it publicly and not anonomously on the internet like yourself eh?

Should you want my name and phone number pm me.

"Anonomously on the internet" Possibly the most retarded stick anyone has ever tried to beat me with :rolleyes:

Can you people not see the difference between yourselves as Irishmen commenting on it and Keane as an Irishman commenting on it??

If you say something critical it generally doesn't end on the back pages. ;)

He's $hit stirring, adding further pressure to a job which he showed no interest in on the eve of a crunch qualifier

Just confirms my opinion of him as a base born, vindictive little $hit

It's all about the timing William, the timing ;)

[Lim till i die]

Great post Bill.

Wow that's almost as insightful as your contributions in that completely irrelevant thread he mentioned :rolleyes:

[tetsujin1979]

Roy Keane's interview last night on NewsTalk: http://www.newstalk106.ie/podcasts/library/soccer/keane.mp3

[citizenerased]

There is no way Keane can be on about Shay, who has been Irelands best and most outstanding player for the last number of years...You are right the players always needed to be cajoled into getting motivated for games..It just shows you how far motivation can go after how that second string irish team preformed against the czechs..if we turn up, we should beat wales comfortably...we have nothing to fear from the slovaks either, they are hardly glittered with superstars..the czechs hammered them at home and their 5-2 victory over wales was more than flattering.

[NeilMcD]

Wow that's almost as insightful as your contributions in that completely irrelevant thread he mentioned :rolleyes:

Not trying to be insightful just agreeing with his post which I am entitled to do. I am sure you will recover from me agreeing with Bill, Not sure Bill will though.

[geysir]

I'm in shock here. Fair dues to Bill.

[Billsthoughts]

"Anonomously on the internet" Possibly the most retarded stick anyone has ever tried to beat me with :rolleyes:

its a fair point given the point you wer emaking imo


Can you people not see the difference between yourselves as Irishmen commenting on it and Keane as an Irishman commenting on it??

yes...as a former player he would have a far greater insight into the reality of the situation than us.



If you say something critical it generally doesn't end on the back pages. ;)

He's $hit stirring, adding further pressure to a job which he showed no interest in on the eve of a crunch qualifier

I have to laugh at this. How is this a crunch qualifier?
And he is only stating the bleeding obvious. reminds me of that quote from the liverpool player about why souness got the sack...."it was the media that got him the sack.......as they kept printing the results..."


Just confirms my opinion of him as a base born, vindictive little $hit

It's all about the timing William, the timing ;)

again hes entitled to his opinion which was bang on the money as far as Im concerned(apart from the Cork thing which was pure balls but again so f*ckin what?)

[citizenerased]

Everything he said apart from the cork thing was 100% right!! Stan has to pick the right team not players who are living off the back off a good world cup 5 years ago..

[Lim till i die]

its a fair point given the point you wer emaking imo

Well IMO it was a pretty funkin stupid point. We'll have to agree to differ on that one


I have to laugh at this. How is this a crunch qualifier?

For Staunton. If he loses could be in a spot of bother. Hope that clears things up

[NeilMcD]

It shows that the Cork thing is rubbish as he cannot answer it when asked by the guy from Newstalk even though he is asked twice. Is answer to that is very very weak compared to his other answers. I think the thing about the Guide dogs is true. Its like he goes up on stage does his 30 mins of spouting off from the hip and 90% of its right. Then the next day the papers are full of it with pictures of Guidedogs. When he is interviewed by the guy from Newstalk he seems less vindictive as he is off stage. Thats the impression I got listening to the podcast.


Saying that I reckon this might get the players back up and he may have done Staunton a favour to be honest. People spout on about players getting paid loads and they should be already motivated, this should be the case and it often is not and little petty things like this can make the difference. I am not saying Keane should take credit for this but I reckon Robbie Keane and O Shea and Duff will be pretty ****ed off when reading Keanes comments.