Keane was asked very early in proceedings if he had much difficulty patching things up with John Delaney following their high-profile spat.
The new Ireland assistant said they both accepted that what was done, was done and so it was time to move on.
“I’m quite happy to move on pretty quickly. It was very straight-forward. We wanted what was good for Irish football. The past is the past.”
2. He believes nobody deserves a medal for doing their job
Early in the press conference one hack noted that Keane was early for both training yesterday and his meeting with the media today. Keane was having none of it.
“Don’t pat me on the back for turning up to work on time.”
3. He didn’t consult any old team-mates before taking the job
This was perhaps the most negative Keane was in what was, for the most part, a jovial and light-hearted press conference. Asked if he’d consulted with any of his ex-team-mates like John O’Shea before accepting the job, Keane was quick to dismiss the idea as nonsense:
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“Absolutely not. It’s none of their business. That’s a ridiculous question.”
He did, however, go on to clarify that he wasn’t the loner he was made out to be.
“Despite what you think, I generally got on with a lot of the players that I worked with.”
Image: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
4. Ray Houghton may have been telling tall tales
Last week, Ray Houghton — who helped the FAI find their new managerial dream team — asserted that Keane believed there were now better players in the squad than he was. Keane seemed genuinely confused and denied making the claim, once more playing for laughs with his reply:
“I don’t think I said that. I don’t remember saying that. Maybe Ray had a few pints on him.”
5. He’s not sure if he and O’Neill really are the good cop/bad cop management team
Of course, it was O’Neill himself who helped sow the seeds of the new management team as good cop/bad cop in the dressing room but the former Manchester United captain was quick to play it down, saying that if people think O’Neill will be the good cop, they’re sorely mistaken.
“I think I’m going to be the good cop. You obviously don’t know Martin as well as you think you do.
“He makes me look like Mother Teresa.”
6. He’s happier now with facilities than he was in 2002
Undoubtedly, the answer that drew the biggest laugh came when Keane was asked about the facilities in Malahide. It was as close to a question about Saipan as the press conference got and Keane’s answer shows he has moved on.
“It’s been great. Training pitch is lovely, there’s no potholes, we even have footballs and bibs so it’s great. Major progress.”
6 interesting snippets from today’s Roy Keane press conference
1. Making up is easy to do
Keane was asked very early in proceedings if he had much difficulty patching things up with John Delaney following their high-profile spat.
The new Ireland assistant said they both accepted that what was done, was done and so it was time to move on.
“I’m quite happy to move on pretty quickly. It was very straight-forward. We wanted what was good for Irish football. The past is the past.”
2. He believes nobody deserves a medal for doing their job
Early in the press conference one hack noted that Keane was early for both training yesterday and his meeting with the media today. Keane was having none of it.
“Don’t pat me on the back for turning up to work on time.”
3. He didn’t consult any old team-mates before taking the job
This was perhaps the most negative Keane was in what was, for the most part, a jovial and light-hearted press conference. Asked if he’d consulted with any of his ex-team-mates like John O’Shea before accepting the job, Keane was quick to dismiss the idea as nonsense:
“Absolutely not. It’s none of their business. That’s a ridiculous question.”
He did, however, go on to clarify that he wasn’t the loner he was made out to be.
4. Ray Houghton may have been telling tall tales
Last week, Ray Houghton — who helped the FAI find their new managerial dream team — asserted that Keane believed there were now better players in the squad than he was. Keane seemed genuinely confused and denied making the claim, once more playing for laughs with his reply:
“I don’t think I said that. I don’t remember saying that. Maybe Ray had a few pints on him.”
5. He’s not sure if he and O’Neill really are the good cop/bad cop management team
Of course, it was O’Neill himself who helped sow the seeds of the new management team as good cop/bad cop in the dressing room but the former Manchester United captain was quick to play it down, saying that if people think O’Neill will be the good cop, they’re sorely mistaken.
“I think I’m going to be the good cop. You obviously don’t know Martin as well as you think you do.
“He makes me look like Mother Teresa.”
6. He’s happier now with facilities than he was in 2002
Undoubtedly, the answer that drew the biggest laugh came when Keane was asked about the facilities in Malahide. It was as close to a question about Saipan as the press conference got and Keane’s answer shows he has moved on.
“It’s been great. Training pitch is lovely, there’s no potholes, we even have footballs and bibs so it’s great. Major progress.”
Watch some of the highlights here:
YouTube: RTÉ Sport
As it happened: Roy Keane’s first press conference as Ireland assistant manager
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