Brian Kerr's task of getting Roy back into the squad has been made that bit harder by Ferguson's comments at the weekend that he wants Roy to retire from international football. Will be intersting to see what happens next. I can understand Ferguson wanting Keane to focus on playing for Man Utd but find his argument that players improve or extend their careers by not playing for their countries in their 30s a bit much. Roy would only be required to play 6 matches this year if he did come back. Alan Shearer is always mentioned as proof of the 'retire early theory' but who's to say he wouldn't still be banging them in for England if he was still playing? Shearer is an excellent professional who keeps himself in shape, very similiar to Keane. This is the real reason he can still play at the very top IMO.
keane is scheduled to meet kerr this week to discuss any return. roy is quoted as saying that he'll go into the meeting with an open mind. it's up to kerr to persuade him that things will be done right this time. roy will also consider the opinion of his family and advisor michael kennedy before reaching a final decision. i would imagine that alex would be the only one to advise against any international return. i'm sure his family would love to see him in a green shirt as much as the rest (some) of us. having said that, i'm getting a little perturbed by keane's silence on the matter. surely it's a straight forward decision on whether he wants to play for us again. playing for ireland is an honour not a chore! i want him to return but not solely on his terms - afterall no man is bigger than the team. it would be a terrible kick in the teeth to the innumerable number of supporters who stuck by him if he decided not to return. we need to know sooner rather than later so we can prepare for the vital double header. fitness wise, i don't think it would be a huge stretch for the man. i know he's had his problems but a holding midfield role would be a piece of cake for him. roy, it's time to *************** or get off the pot!!!!
It's seems to me that a carefully choreographed strategy is being unfurled on the public at the moment. Keane finds himself in a situation where the new Ireland manager has received tremendous backing from the public, is known as an excellent organiser and is as professional in his dealings as one could hope for. All the negatives that he has raised in the past will not be tolerated by Kerr. After all, this is the man who sent fleets of empty cars (apart from the drivers of course Slash!) behind the St. Pats team bus when travelling to away games, just in case. How come Eamon Dunphy has been saying that Keane would come back, if he could get reassurances about improved standards, since the world cup, and yet in todays paper he says that he doesn't think he'll come back now? How come Ferguson had the opportunity to say that he'd like Roy to retire from International football for the last few months, but chose to come out with it the weekend after the new manager is put in place, and just before that manager is due to meet up with Keane to discuss his future? Keane does not want to come back. He will go into this meeting with Kerr looking for even more ridiculous demands than he was fortunate to get from McCarthy. If he doesn't get them, he won't play, if Kerr is weak enough (and I don't think he is) to accede to them, he will have to come up with something else - eg. my club manager doesn't want me to. If he did come back, on his own terms, it would undoubtedly cause more friction with the rest of the squad who might also just like to play competitve matches, room alone, arrive the day before etc ....
I'm just looking forward to listening all the cab-drivers in Dublin who claim to be "United through and through" claiming that they're delighted with Keane's decision to quit Ireland as it means United will have a better shot at the Champions League. And then proceed to kiss a poster of an obvious bosom-buddy like Diego Forlan while obliviously driving past Stevie Carr's house in Donaghmede.
Eamon Dunphy has come out and supported Alex Ferguson's call for Keane to retire from international football. I agree that we need a quick resolution to the situation one way or the other. If Keane is to come back then he must have an agreed working relationship with Kerr . I would not read to much into the fact that Keane has kept quiet on the issue so far. It's just as well both keep quiet until after they have met. What we need then is a definitive answer - yes or no and move on from there. Hopefully whatever the answer everyone can then get behind the MANAGER and the TEAM and give them the chance they deserve.
Nothing new many managers are persuading players to quit International footie. One example that springs into my mind is when Oxford United persuaded Mark Watson of Canada to quit International football in order to continue playing for the Us. He was subsequently released and had various trials with clubs in England and Scotland before moving to America.
Keane has been so quiet on the matter because he is obvioulsy is considering it....Ferguson even mentioned that the medical team have a say.... so once Roy has consulted the folllowing: Fergie Kerr Man Utd Medical Team His Agent His Family His Dog and himself then and only then will we find out..(i guess he will want to annouce it over the next couple of weeks because no one wants this to run and run...especially not in the build up to the Georgia Game anyhow. closey