REPUBLIC OF IRELAND boss Martin O’Neill insisted once again today that Roy Keane is not a distraction despite his latest off-field controversy.
Keane hit the headlines on Friday when it emerged that English police are investigating an alleged dispute between the Ireland assistant boss and a taxi driver. It is the third time in as many months that Keane has been in the news for off-field reasons.
O’Neill stood by his right-hand man again this afternoon and dismissed the latest furore as a “mountain out of a molehill”. But he accepted that “if there is a situation where something might get out of hand, that becomes a different issue”.
“I can’t say it doesn’t bother me,” O’Neill said. “Of course it might be a concern but I’ve spoken to Roy about it and, like everything else, I’m prepared to listen to what he’s said.
“Mountain out of a molehill comes to mind immediately, and I think eventually when the whole thing has been investigated, I think you’ll find that to be the case.”
The Keane sideshow overshadowed preparations for Ireland’s crucial Euro 2016 qualifier in Scotland when he was involved in an incident at the team hotel the night before the squad departed for Glasgow.
He then quit his position as Aston Villa’s assistant manager in late November, amid rumours of a training ground bust-up, and was later reported to have called to Tom Cleverley’s house to confront the player.
Those stories are part and parcel of the media’s obsession with Keane, O’Neill said at a media event to announce a new partnership between SPAR and the FAI.
“You’ve asked me this before and it’s absolutely not [a distraction]. I’ve not found it a distraction and I don’t find it a distraction because that was always going to be the case.
“If Roy went to the shops at this minute, you’ve such an interest that you’d wonder what he’s bought, it should have been bananas instead of apples or something like that.
“I genuinely haven’t got a problem with it at all, as long as he stays good for Ireland which he has done. I think if you ask the players about his contribution to us in the last few months, I think they would say it was excellent and that’s really what I’d be considering most of all.”
O’Neill has spoken to Keane since Friday’s incident and — a joke about doorstepping him aside — he would not reveal any details of their conversation. None of the off-field incidents to this point have been a major problem, he reiterated.
“Like anything else, if there is a situation where something might get out of hand or something like that, that becomes a different issue. Those things so far I haven’t considered distractions.”
He added: “I enjoy him, I enjoy his company. I think he’s good for the team and it’s great. Do you know what? I bet you it will not be the only altercation he’ll be involved in between now and… eh, I’d say give him till next weekend.”
SPAR are the new title sponsor of the Primary School 5s Programme, a national five-a-side competition for boys and girls in 4th, 5th and 6th classes.
Find me a person who hasn’t road raged
I have road rage everyday who hasn’t
The English media have obviously decided that Roy Keane is fair game regarding everything it’s true paper never refused ink. With everything that is going on in the world road rage spare me
Thank god Martin o Neill hasn’t demonstrated road rage. Considering the way he hops up and down on the sidelines at the aviva .
I would say Roy is a Granny Smith man. Bananas are soft. Bad example for the kids.
What a non story! disappointed with “The Journal” for even printing this!
absolutely,media and people that come into contact with keane get obsessed for some reason.what normal person goes out of their way and passes a stupid comment like come on roy,smile?imagine having to put up with that crap.
And of course we all know that ‘Taxi Drivers’ are always in the right ! If it wasn’t Roy involved nothing would have been said. Was someone out to make a ‘quick buck’.
Martin O ‘Neill needs to ground Roy Keane, put him in a time out or at least put him on the naughty step….
We wouldn’t have to wonder, I’m sure he’d tell us in the book.
I do like Roy’s beard. Bull mcCabe look
Would that shop be Spar? All you need,when you need it, under the tree at Spar?
The fact that Martin O’ Neill had to reiterate Roy isn’t a distraction proves he is one.
“Only the true messiah denies his divinity.”
He only has to reiterate it because these “Journalists” are obsessed with every step he takes . Stop printing what colour his shite is and MON won’t have to answer questions about him .
he was only answering a question that he was asked you stupid boy..
As manager of the Irish football team if, Martin O’Neill is constantly being asked about Roy Keanes non football related ‘incidents’, is that not a distraction from the job that he is paid to do?
@Tim kearney I realise he was answering a question, hence i commented on exactly that. Thanks though. Your comment was inspiring.
Good old Roy, the gift that keeps on giving. You’d think he would learn at this stage….
Having read his book he comes acros as a grand chap
Why do people look for negative stuff about Keane ? They should try and find out what is good about him… let me tell you it far outways and negative stuff any decent journalists would do this if they were worth their salt. but most journalists are lazy these days..
or else they are too lazy to find a decent story.i think some of those working in the Journel may fit the lazy category. get a life guys.
Roid rage