Roy Keane not taking calls from Ireland manager
No problem with Keane – Staunton
May 9, 2007
Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton insists there is no row with Roy Keane, despite the fact that the Sunderland manager has effectively refused to take his calls in recent weeks.
Staunton has named his squad for the friendlies against Ecuador and Bolivia later this month, with Black Cats players Liam Miller, Anthony Stokes, Stephen Elliott and Daryl Murphy set to make the trip to the United States.
But the Irish boss admits he has been unable to discuss the call-ups with Keane – as the Sunderland chief has preferred to communicate via text message.
He said: “I tried to ring him a few times but he texts back so you have to work off that. I have spoken to other people connected with the club, we’ve got good information on the players and I haven’t a problem with it. I’ve had a chat with Roy before about them anyway, so it’s not a problem.
“I try to get all the information I can, not just from the manager but from opposition managers as well, and I use my own judgment as well as the staff I have around me.”