Source RTE's Breaking News: Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane has once again hinted that he may make a return to the Irish international fold after insisting that he has unfinished business with Ireland. The 32-year-old was sent home from Saipan in 2002 during Ireland's World Cup preparations after a major bust-up with manager Mick McCarthy. The Cork man was expected to make an international return once Brian Kerr took charge, but after recovering from knee surgery, decided to retire from international football. However, Keane's latest comments suggest that he may have had a change of heart. The United captain said: "I have always said I have missed international football - but then felt it was important to move on. But part of me has always said that I had unfinished business and it will always be that way." "I don't think it would be as simple as me saying that I would come back to international football. It would be down to Brian Kerr - it's as simple as that really. Obviously Brian is doing things properly now which I felt the previous manager wasn't doing" he added. "It would probably be unfair on the players and Brian while it would also create a lot of media frenzy. It might upset some of the players so I don't believe that it's as simple as saying that I would be available for selection again." Keane believes that much has changed in the Irish set-up since Kerr took charge, and he was impressed with Ireland's 0-0 draw with World Champions Brazil at Lansdowne Road last night. "I watched the game and we played very well and probably should have won." "It was a great team effort although Kevin Kilbane was excellent in midfield, especially when he pushed forward in attack. On another day Robbie Keane and Stephen Carr might have scored. Yes, they did very well," he added. Should Keane decide to once again put on the Green jersey, it would come as a massive boost for Kerr's men ahead of their opening World Cup qualifying game against Cyprus at Lansdowne Road in September. Filed by Rob Wright
The fact that Dunphy has taken to heaping praise on Kerr in recent days may indicate that, unlike before, this time Keane may be serious about returning. However, why he has chosen to put the ball back in Brian Kerr's court is confusing and downright unfair given that it was Keane who made himself unavailable the day before the Scottish match. If he wants to come back why can't he just say "I want to be considered again" and then let Brian Kerr talk to him and make a decision? Personally I don't want him back unless he's prepared to be treated the same as all other squad members i.e. sharing a room with a teammate, eating his meals with the rest of the team rather than in his room alone, attending squad outings, turning up for games on time rather than the day before and being available for friendlies which would include this summers US Cup, a tournament that he has fond memories of apparently. Regarding the latter I don't see how a manager can build a team and team spirit if one player can pick and choose the games he makes himself available for. What are other players to make of that situation, next we'd have Ranieri encouraging Duff to retire from international friendlies also and only play competitive games. If Keane is acting the pr1ck again and isn't serious about returning then I think he's made a monumental complete and utter gobsh1te out of himself by once again raising the prospect of his return and working some fans, not me, into a frenzy.
Ahh man, here we go again. I love Keane as a player and would walk into this Kerr's Ireland team and improve it. But it's not as simple as that anymore. He has let the country down twice and there is a lot of bad blood with some of the other players. Why couldnt he just leave well enough alone. Now he's stirred up the pot again.
He must think we've got a good shot of getting through the group to the WC. If he didn't, he'd stay on the prawn sandwiches @ Old Tratford. In order to qualify for the WC, it's in our best interest to have Roy. In order to build a solid team for the next few qualifications, it's in our best interests to be without him. Pick your priority. Who do ye think are the people on the current squad whom Roy doesn't like? Seems like he has had positive comments about O'Shea, Robbie, Carr, and Kilbane in recent weeks. For one has to be McAteer. IMO I think another maybe Duff.
By all accounts, his most recent Man U based tirade was aimed at O'Shea and Tierney, so I'm not so sure that O'Shea is necessarily in his Roynesses good books. McAteer, definitely, Given also, perhaps Cunningham, Breen, Holland, and Kinsella are all not on his Christmas card list. And that's without thinking too hard. Perhaps that's just too many people for a tough qualifying campaign. Personally, I wish he'd just """go away""".
Round and Round we go! I think everyone is in agreement. But "if" the players agree to have him back and let old dogs lie then surely Kerr must take this offer seriously? I hope though Roy will have spoken to Kerr in advance of this statement as communicating through the press is not the way forward. I would be interested to know from inside the camp if the FAI have pulled their finger out and sorted the age old problems. The FAI review document was the only good thing that came out of the fiasco but when are they 'publically' going to review their progress. Lets send Roy in as an auditor! ho ho Closey P.s Niall Quinn's commentary the other night did my head in. anyone else?
I'd missed that. Last I heard Dunphy was very anti Kerr, I'm suprised at that. It all depends really. If the players, every single one of them, manager and staff all said they'd want him back and would be happy to play with him then okay, if not then he stays retired, and I'd imagine they wont be overjoyed about this. And yes, Niall Quinn, legend and all, is argubley a worse commentator then Stapo, which says alot.
It's up to Kerr now. He should talk to the team and make a decision quickly and firmly one way or the other. The faster this gets handled the better. I think Ireland is better with Roy in the team, personally. However, that doesn't mean it's the best thing at this time for Roy, Kerr, Ireland, or Roy's club team.
You mean absolutely postively settle it for the 101st time? The only person talking here is Keane; it has been settled before, more than once, yet he just can't let go. He should - he has made it clear what he thinks, again more than once, and I just cannot bring myself to ascribe anything other than malicious motives to the latest outburst from this disturbed little man.
Keane probably thinks he skrewed up when he went back on his word to Kerr early last year. Also, this statement show the true Keane: ...meaning no friendlies. So, how are we supposed to find out how Keane would play with the team? Isnt that what friendlies are all about? Roy hasnt been with the Irish team in almost 2 years and a lot has changed since he was around.
Think about it. Are we as dependent on Roy Keane as some might suggest? Sure, Matt Holland and Liam Miller would make a great Midfield Partnership.
Keane comeback could spark player revolt Interesting article in The Observer http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1153591,00.html Andy Townsend hits St. Roy hard......... ''If Roy reckons he has unfinished business with the Irish team, that's tough, it's his own fault; I would be the first to agree with the criticisms he made of the FAI during the World Cup. But they could have given us tennis balls to play with and I would never have walked out on my country. Neither would any other Irish player I know.''
Re: Round and Round we go! I found it hilarious... "that was reeeal good" (i think those were the words)... the amateur, unqualified nature also suits RTE & the FAI perfectly.
I wasn't going to get into the whole Keane thing again, but I am a weak man, so here goes ... You couldn't be more wrong there Motterman. It has absolutely nothing to do with Kerr, at this point at least. Keane walked out, had many chances to come back as bigger men swallowed their pride to facilitate him, and each time he turned his back on his country after leading the nation down a blind alley. Kerr went out of his way to have a meeting with him in an effort to bring him back into the fold, and how did Keane repay him? By taking the emphasis off the Scotland game when he announced his retirement the day before, despite having agreed an appropriate time with Kerr. Since then he has had no contact with Kerr - according to all reports - so why should Kerr go running after him because of some more deliberately ambiguous comments by this mentally deficient troublemaker? If he wants to come back, and really mean it, the first thing HE should do is approach the manager himself and enquire as to the possibility. But of course Roy is not one to accept the authority of anybody except Ferguson. Liam Brady made an interesting comment on The Premiership on Saturday evening. He doesn't think Keane has any interest in coming back and just used the opportunity to slag off McCarthy again by saying the things are much better and Kerr is doing a decent job unlike the previous manager. I suspect he's not far off the mark!
I agree with Motterman Kerr should have a team vote. Quickly up or down. I personaly think he could be the missing link in midfield and his leadership would be priceless. The fans will support his return if it's known the players support it.
Why is it up to Kerr? Keane is the muppet who walked out on his country more than once and he now wants to come back. So there is no way he has Kerr's phone number? Or the FAI's? He's acting like like a f##king prima donna. Is he now so precious that he can't pick up a phone without knowing exactly what's going to happen? Hey Roy! Why don't you get your people to call Brian Kerr's people (i.e. the man himself)? You'd never know you might even get to have lunch with a half glass of chardonnay and a mesclun salad while you agonize about all the terrible things that were done to you. I'm sure Kerr's people (i.e. the man himself) would arrange for a shoulder for you on which to cry.
Captain fantastic I think with Sir Alex sitting Roy as much as he has, Roy now feels that he has enough in his engine for both international football as well as his new reduced role at Man U. I think back when the other statement was made about his returning, he thought he’d be in every match for Man U, like Shearer is for Newcastle. Now he sees his role at Man U, is not thrilled but won’t question (at least publicly) his guru/mentor/football father. It probably has always knawed at him that he left the team, and I think part of his anger at McCarthy is there because he himself is ashamed at leaving before the WC, even if he was right in the end. Anyone who’s watched him over the last couple of years can see the angry Roy is a thing of the past, and I believe that is in large part due to not just his hip injury, but also reflection on the aftermath of Japorea. I think he desperately wants to make it up to Ireland, and I for one would give him the chance. Every match be like the Holland game.
I hate the expression 110%. I'm glad he is returning. I think Roy is an awesome player and will help out the Irish NT.
Kerr has his say on the matter: http://www.soccercentral.ie/viewstory.asp?id=12345&mainheading=Republic+of+Ireland&viewstory=yes In other words, Kerr says he's the boss, it's his team, everyone will be treated the same and check with Fergie first, Roy. In this strange game of tennis, the ball is back in Keane's court.
I would love Roy to return for the simple reason that it will make it much more likely that we will qualify for Germany (which I want to go to). I'm sick and tired of all the crap about the last World Cup. If the players and Kerr will accept him, and he wants to come back - then great. Ireland will be stronger. Otherwise, its no big deal, qualifying for this world cup will be more difficult but players like Miller and Reid will get vital experience. We all know that Keane is a d1ck. Its just that he's so good at football that his value to the team just cannot be understated.