KEVIN DE BRUYNE has defended Kyle Walker after his Manchester City team-mate was labelled an “idiot” by Roy Keane.
The 30-year-old has been in fine form for Pep Guardiola’s men this season, but the full-back did not enjoy his best afternoon in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool.
Walker gave away a costly penalty for a foul on Sadio Mane, which led outspoken former Manchester United captain Keane to call the City defender an “idiot” and a “car crash” of a player.
England boss Gareth Southgate hit out at that “personal criticism” and City team-mate De Bruyne stuck up for Walker ahead of facing him with Belgium in the Nations League on Sunday.
“I think from the moment that Kyle came to the team, he’s been one of the most consistent performers with us,” the playmaker said.
“He’s never injured, he plays all the time. He’s reliable and he’s a really good defender. I think the job that he does is a really good job.
“Obviously when you compare every position it’s different. You can’t compare the work that Kyle does to, for instance, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) at Liverpool.
“Trent is the more offensive player and Kyle has to play a different role for us, but he does it really well and there’s a reason why he’s playing all these years at this level for all these teams. It means he’s been really good.
“OK, what Roy Keane says… he’s a different man and everybody knows that.
“But, OK, it’s his opinion and he’ll take it on the chin. He’s going to be fine with it.”
De Bruyne is looking to get the better of Walker on Sunday, when Belgium will attempt to avenge October’s 2-1 loss to England at Wembley.
The Three Lions need to win to keep their hopes of topping Group A2 alive, with their absentee-hit defence facing a star-studded Belgian side boasting a fully-fit De Bruyne.
The 29-year-old admits he played through pain in that Wembley defeat, before going on to miss City’s matches against Arsenal and Porto through injury.
“I had a scan two days before but it was not a lot of info that we could see because it was too close after the training,” De Bruyne said.
“That scan said that it could be ok, but then the scan I took two days after England showed that I had multiple minor injuries.
“You know, that’s the decision we took here with Belgium and it was my decision. It didn’t make it any worse but I don’t think the picture that we could see at that moment was clear enough to know exactly what the injury was at the time.”
So in theory once, and if, Ireland have scored four tries they can (kinda) decide who they want to play in the quarter finals (and to eliminate SA from the competition)….. However, that’s not what this team is about. They’ll have the simple goal to beat Scotland off the park.
@Thomas Patton: Technically correct, but great motivation for whichever team was ‘picked’ to be the lesser of two evils
@Brian Donohoe: you’d imagine intentionally losing a world cup game by 20+ PTS would have serious consequences
@Ciaran Kennedy: Yeah. If Scotland score 4 tries against us, we’re not going to be winning a QF
@Kevin Ryan: meanwhile on against the head, Donal Lenihan says that Scotland need 4 tries to progress and nobody corrects him. Punditry sucks.
It is quite simple lads… please just win – dont care how or by how much. My heart would not be able to take the stress of it. The closer it gets the more nervous I feel.
Ireland will be 100% focussed as always , everyone knows their roles and the game plan . The goal is to win against Scotland and then prepare for the next team we are drawn against. That’s it . This being the tougher side of the draw we were always going to have to do this the hard way.
Ireland lose by 4 or fewer : top group.
Lose by 5, 6 or 7, top group if no Scotland bonus point.
Lose by 5 and Scotland bonus: top group if same or more tries against Scotland (or 2 bonus points).
Lose by 6 or 7 and Scotland bonus : through only if 2 bonus points.
Lose by 8-19 : Ireland out.
Lose by > 20 : Ireland second if 4 try bonus
Lose by 20. Ireland second if 4 try bonus, only if Scotland score at least 3 more tries than Ireland!
@Graham Glendinning: Any of those later options will mean a steward’s inquiry
@Graham Glendinning: Corrections.
Note – lreland lose with try bonus, and no Scotland bonus: Ireland through
Ireland lose by 4 or fewer : top group.
Lose by 5, 6 or 7, top group if no Scotland bonus point (or 2 Ireland bonus points).
Lose by 5 and Scotland bonus: top group if same or more tries against Scotland (or 2 bonus points).
Lose by 6 or 7 and Scotland bonus : through only if 2 bonus points.
Lose by 8-19 : Ireland out (unless try bonus and no Scotland try bonus)
Lose by 20. Ireland second if 4 try bonus, only if Scotland score at least 3 more tries than Ireland!
Lose by > 20 : Ireland second if 4 try bonus for Ireland and Scotland
Would it be better to play France? Unfortunately, I feel we’ve eliminated that opportunity now with our success so far. Maybe Italy could do us a favour…
@Sam Bingham: Why would it be better to play France?
@Kevin Liston: hi Kevin, I’ve used the punctuation known as a question mark to indicate I’m asking a question. You actually nailed it first time in your response buddy, so you should get to grips with it pretty quickly.
@Sam Bingham: did u watch new zealand v italy oh boy
In that final scenario, wouldn’t SA’s better head-to-head have them ahead of Scotland?
@John Dooney: forget that
@John Dooney: ya my head wrecked even reading that post from murray haha
@John Dooney: The odd thing is that in a 3-way tie where each beat one of the others, it is points difference to decide the winner, but head to head for second-third. I think in the Heineken cups it is points difference for all 3.