Keane on the Kerr, Staunton, Robbie and John O Shea
From the Indo today.
Timing of Old Trafford exit right as age, injuries and homesickness catch up on Roy
THE timing of Roy Keane's controversial departure from Old Trafford last year was absolutely correct according to the player himself.
The 34-year-old admitted that he has no regrets about leaving Manchester United after 12 highly successful years and added that he is looking forward to returning to Old Trafford with Celtic for his testimonial in May.
"I have met Alex Ferguson since I left United. There is no problem there. If anything he has been encouraging me to have the testimonial match," said Keane.
"We will see what happens. I wouldn't feel uncomfortable about going back because when I left United, it was the right time to do so.
"People were looking for a different angle on me and the manager but the fact is that the relationship had come to an end.
"It was like being with a girl and knowing that it was time to move on."
The weeks that Keane spent at home following his United exit finally softened the hardest man in football.
He wiled away the days playing with his five kids and has suffered the pangs of homesickness since finding himself living out a suitcase in a Glasgow hotel since his move to Celtic last December.
Family
Despite having signed an 18-month contract with Celtic, he is now giving every indication that he is ready to walk away from Parkhead this summer to spend more time with his family.
"When you are at home for four or five weeks, watching morning television, you really appreciate your family," admitted Keane.
"I'm away from them a lot now, living in a hotel, seeing them only three or four days a week. My two youngest kids are four and one and they miss me.
"So when I make my mind up in the summer, I will do what I think is right for my family."
In addition to missing his family, Keane has started to realise that age and injuries are beginning to catch up on him. He revealed that he had a good look himself after leaving United and then admitted to receiving a wake-up call at Easter Road last Sunday.
"The enjoyment is definitely less when you are not physically right. Like on Sunday against Hibs, I was playing against young, fresh players who were running everywhere. I didn't think I played well.
"As you get older you get more and more average games. And that's what gets you in the end.
"You have to do what you think is right and not get sucked into playing in another Champions League or stuff like that. You have got to be fair. I've learned a lot more in the last few months than I have learned in my entire career in terms of what way I want to go and what is right for me."
And he suggested that the timing of his departure from Old Trafford, while hugely controversial, was probably right.
Physical
"There are a lot of physical demands and I think a lot of managers are looking at the player as an athlete first before the talent.
"The Premiership is a powerful league and the players are getting faster and more powerful all the time."
Keane admitted that he chose Celtic because he felt it would be less pressurised and he could enjoy it more but he has found that not to be the case.
"I have spent so much time trying to focus and trying to win the matches that the whole emotion of playing for Celtic has passed me by unfortunately.
"That part of my career, I wished I had have enjoyed a bit more. But then again I might not have been the player I was. I had to be focussed. When I came to Celtic I really wanted to enjoy it and lighten up a bit. I still want to win but I just wanted to be less intense in terms of preparation and recovery, analysing the game."
Keane will hope to pick up his first piece of silverware for Celtic on Sunday when the Hoops meet Dunfermline in the CIS Cup Final, a game that will evoke memories of the late Jimmy Johnstone who died this week.
"Jimmy Johnstone was a real footballer. I met him recently and it was a pleasure. He was an inspiration to so many and his video, Lord of the Wing, was the greatest football video I have ever seen.
"He was 5'6" and proved that no matter what size you were that if you had a big heart and were brave then you had got a chance."
Keane smiled at the suggestion that he might go into the media after he hangs up his boots and indicated he wanted a proper job.
"If I was going to stay in football it would be to manage. I don't want to do anything half-hearted."
Keane also believes his former international colleague Steve Staunton will prosper as Ireland manager, although he hopes he will be given more time than his predecessor.
"I didn't see much of the Swedish game but I heard they played well and I was delighted for everyone.
"However winning a friendly is one thing. The bigger thing is to win the competitive games. They count for much more. Hopefully the FAI will give Stan time to prove himself." Huge blow
Despite his advancing years, Keane's absence from Ireland's final two World Cup qualifiers was a huge blow to Brian Kerr and the team's failure to reach this summer's finals in Germany ultimately cost Kerr his job.
"Brian was unlucky that way. When we didn't qualify it was always going to be difficult for him.
"In football you are judged on results and it is a cold business. But you could say Brian was treated unfairly. Ultimately, though, the players have to take responsibility for what happened. "The Israeli games were lost opportunities. Even the home game against France could have been drawn. A lack of a winning mentality cost us."
Keane will go down in history as one of the great Irish captains and he believes that the new skipper Robbie Keane will revel in the role.
"Captaincy will be good for Robbie. The extra responsibility is important and it will bring out the best in him.
"Strikers by their nature have to be selfish and think about themselves. Now Robbie has to think about the group and there is no doubt that he will do a good job.
"I know he was criticised last autumn for going on one or two nights out before the French game but he is a responsible lad and this position will highlight that."
Replacement
And his replacement in the Irish and Manchester United engine room could be his former room-mate John O'Shea who is also a close friend.
"I have said before that I think John can play in the middle of the park. But he needs to get a little tougher in the big games. He is very talented and if he toughens up he can do very well."
Keane hopes to return to Old Trafford with Celtic in May for his testimonial where the proceeds will be distributed to charities in Manchester, Glasgow, Dublin and Cork and he also plans to write another book.
"Within a week or two of leaving United I had a couple of book offers and some silly money was offered to me. It was strange. If I did do another book, this one would be more reflective.
"My last one was a bit strong. It was a good book and I don't regret a thing because you have to do what you think is right at the time."
