If we’re talking about a friendly between Ireland and Belarus, well, something truly remarkable must have occurred in Cork.
That Belarus upset hosts Ireland 2-1 is notable, but we speak more of the words uttered by a certain assistant manager.
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And that manager’s name is Roy Keane, the irrepressible personality and longtime Ireland and Manchester United midfielder. From the BBC:
“They should count their blessings they’ve managed to get on the flight - a reality check for one or two players who thought they were good players.”
Those comments alone breach the normal coach speak and make us raise an eyebrow, but Keane is looking toward a brutal Euro group that includes Italy, Belgium and Sweden.
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Here’s another beauty from Keane, a frank, brutal and probably fair assessment of winger Aiden McGeady:The hits kept coming when it came to the “modern player” and concern with health. Here’s where Keane was really feeling it, from Sky Sports:
“People have talked about not playing much football or players carrying knocks; I’m worried if players aren’t carrying knocks.
“You’re supposed to get knocks because you’re supposed to be tackling people, you’re supposed to be hitting people at pace.
“That’s part of the game. It’s not chess we’re playing.”
Bring on the Euro, and let’s have Keane take all the press conferences in place of manager Martin O’Neill.