Irish women’s boss feels Roy Keane wouldn’t cope with modern football

A bold statement from the Irish women's football team's manager

The women's manager was speaking on how she was gutted that she would not get to watch McCabe play in the Champions League final on May 24. The Arsenal star is set to face Barcelona in Lisbon, while Ward will be in Istanbul ahead of the May 30 Nations League meeting with Turkey.

Ward was also full of praise for the 29-year-old and sees similarities to her game with Roy Keane. She feels both have that bite in their play, but it wouldn't be able to be managed by Keane in today's game.

She said: “It’s a bit like Roy Keane although Roy Keane probably wouldn’t be able to cope in this day and age.

"You don’t want to take that [bite] away from them.

“Sometimes it is managing it, but Katie McCabe without a bite, you would lose a lot."

The Girls in Green manager also believes the 96-time capped left-back is one of the best in the world in her position.

She said: “If she’s English, everyone is talking about her as the best left-back in the world.

"But they don’t talk about her as the best left-back in the world because she’s Irish.

Ward added: “I think when Katie McCabe is on her day, I don’t think you’ll find a better left-back, I really don’t.”

McCabe will join up with the squad in Istanbul, which will be named next week, when she flies out after her Champions League involvement.