Roy Keane refused to discuss last week’s hotel incident at this morning’s press conference. The Republic of Ireland assistant manager brushed off any attempts to be drawn on the incident, in which Gardai were called to the team’s hotel in Portmarnock, choosing instead to focus on Ireland’s disappointing defeat to Scotland on Friday.
Keane did however speak about team captain Robbie Keane’s omission from the side, the striker’s disappointment and post game comments. ‘I’d expect Robbie to be disappointed, he’s a top player’, the former Manchester United midfielder said. When asked about his namesake’s comments, (Robbie Keane had said ‘I’m not f**king Niall Quinn‘, in relation to his suitability to playing up front on his own), the Ireland assistant manager quipped ‘he’s a lot better than Niall Quinn’. Keane also emphasised the captain still has a ‘massive’ role to play for the national side.
At the press conference, Keane also spoke about the unwanted attention around the team. When asked if he can venture outside the team hotel without any intrusion, Keane replied: ‘Going to Malahide for coffee, fine. Went out for a meal last night – fine. We’re not One Direction’. The Ireland assistant manager was speaking ahead of Ireland’s friendly with the United States on Tuesday at the Aviva Stadium.
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