Martin O’Neill wades into the Roy Keane “world class debate”

You thought this had gone away, right?

Everyone from Gary Neville to Richard Keyes has had their say on Alex Ferguson's claims that Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes were the only world class players he managed at Manchester United. There was much anger that Eric Djemba-Djemba Roy Keane was left out of the category, with many suspecting it was just the latest volley in the Cold War that has waged between the pair for 10 years and a day, ever since Ferguson kicked Keane out of Old Trafford. Fresh from the triumph of qualifying for Euro 2016, Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill yesterday waded into the debate, saying that Ferguson is wrong about the Corkman, who of course now works as his assistant.

"Roy’s an iconic figure, and he’s been a world-class footballer, regardless of what Sir Alex Ferguson says.

"He [Keane] was a world-class player because he influenced that great Manchester United side like you wouldn’t believe.

"He was the driving force of the team and when you are winning leagues and big cups and you have a driving force like that, I’m sorry but you can be classed as nothing else but world-class,’ added O'Neill.

Pretty strong stuff from O'Neill. Maybe Ferguson will respond to him in his next book.