ROY KEANE HAS said he is “disappointed” by James McCarthy’s absence from the latest Ireland squad, while he also reserved a few caustic remarks for Everton at a press conference in Abbotstown today.
Of McCarthy, he said: “We knew he was struggling with the injury he had. He wasn’t fit to report, so we’re disappointed just like (Stephen) Wardy and some of the other lads.
We know players are under pressure from their clubs. The clubs are looking after themselves.
“Most players will be carrying knocks of some sort, but when a player’s injured he’s injured.
As long as I’ve been involved with Ireland, I think we’ve been more than fair to the clubs and the players.
“I don’t we’ve ever took any any unnecessary risks with players. We’ve had a number of players that we’ve not risked them and they’ve played a couple of days later with their clubs.”
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When asked about Everton specifically, Keane acknowledged the ongoing issues between Ireland and the Toffees.
“We’ve had a problem previously with (Roberto) Martinez. I think he was slightly over the top. It’s not criticism of the players — it’s more from Everton and their staff.
I always felt the Everton players would turn up on crutches or crawling in the hotel door. It now looks like we’re going to have that issue with Koeman, but I hope not.
“I’m not sure the last time (Everton) won a trophy, I think it was a good number of years ago. Maybe overloading players and players playing lots of games is a good thing. That means your club’s been successful and lads are playing week in week out.
I think they’re out of the League Cup, Norwich beat them at Goodison. So maybe Everton as a club, and it’s a brilliant football club, maybe their players need to toughen up a bit.”
Keane also dismissed the suggestion that the two sides maintaining positive relations was necessary.
“Why do we need a good relationship with Everton? They’re lucky to have the Irish lads they’ve got. Everton traditionally have always had brilliant Irish players doing well for the football club.
“So they shouldn’t be so quick to stop Irish players coming to play for Ireland. I’ve experienced that myself.
I can understand a little bit, but if a player’s fit to travel and can play a game, particularly a qualifying game, then they should get their heads round that.
“Particularly Seamus Coleman, what a player he’s been for Everton, so why would they try to begrudge Ireland having these players available to us?
“Darron Gibson’s Irish. Gibbo misses lots of games for Everton. A hell of a lot of games. And he seems to get injured a lot at Everton. Maybe they need to look at their own training schedule. Koeman’s opinions are no issue with me, I couldn’t care less.”
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Roy Keane on Everton: 'Maybe their players need to toughen up a bit'
ROY KEANE HAS said he is “disappointed” by James McCarthy’s absence from the latest Ireland squad, while he also reserved a few caustic remarks for Everton at a press conference in Abbotstown today.
Manager Martin O’Neill and Everton boss Ronald Koeman have been involved in a war of words recently over the fitness of midfielder James McCarthy, and assistant boss Keane gave his thoughts on the issue today.
Of McCarthy, he said: “We knew he was struggling with the injury he had. He wasn’t fit to report, so we’re disappointed just like (Stephen) Wardy and some of the other lads.
“Most players will be carrying knocks of some sort, but when a player’s injured he’s injured.
“I don’t we’ve ever took any any unnecessary risks with players. We’ve had a number of players that we’ve not risked them and they’ve played a couple of days later with their clubs.”
When asked about Everton specifically, Keane acknowledged the ongoing issues between Ireland and the Toffees.
“We’ve had a problem previously with (Roberto) Martinez. I think he was slightly over the top. It’s not criticism of the players — it’s more from Everton and their staff.
“I’m not sure the last time (Everton) won a trophy, I think it was a good number of years ago. Maybe overloading players and players playing lots of games is a good thing. That means your club’s been successful and lads are playing week in week out.
Keane also dismissed the suggestion that the two sides maintaining positive relations was necessary.
“Why do we need a good relationship with Everton? They’re lucky to have the Irish lads they’ve got. Everton traditionally have always had brilliant Irish players doing well for the football club.
“So they shouldn’t be so quick to stop Irish players coming to play for Ireland. I’ve experienced that myself.
“Particularly Seamus Coleman, what a player he’s been for Everton, so why would they try to begrudge Ireland having these players available to us?
“Darron Gibson’s Irish. Gibbo misses lots of games for Everton. A hell of a lot of games. And he seems to get injured a lot at Everton. Maybe they need to look at their own training schedule. Koeman’s opinions are no issue with me, I couldn’t care less.”
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