Keano’s canine therapy to take pressure off

NO ONE can surely be more pleased about Sunderland’s recent run of good form than manager Roy Keane’s worn-out old dog Triggs.

Yesterday Keane revealed how Triggs always senses a long walk is coming on when the football results filter down to the Keane family home at 5pm on Saturdays.

“I think the dog gets more concerned about the football results because obviously if it’s a bad one then we go on longer walks and she’s pushing on a bit now,” said Keane.

“I think she’s more relieved that we’ve won one of two of our last matches. Usually she will get a feel for the atmosphere in the house for the results and she’s pretty relieved when we win the odd game.”

Sunderland have won their last two games after a disastrous spell doomed them to 17 defeats and six draws in their last 30 Premiership fixtures.

Keane was speaking yesterday on the Ryan Tubridy show on RTÉ Radio One to publicise the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind’s latest fundraiser.

The former Manchester United midfield ace explained why dogs were important to him, saying he would be lost without his pet Triggs — who is six.

“She does get plenty of exercise, especially when I need a bit of peace and quiet. I usually grab an hour or two with the dog and off we go. It’s an important part of my life.

“I don’t tend to talk to too many people and it helps that the dog does not talk back to me. I don’t get the dog’s opinion so I can just rant and rave by myself,” he joked, adding, “in my head — not vocally.”

Keane flew into Dublin to launch the Guide Dogs for the Blind fundraising campaign, which runs from May 5 to May 10. The charity plans to raise funds selling pin badges featuring a pair of sunglasses through Specsavers branches.

The Cork-based charity, which Keane supports, has raised €1.2million to provide and train guide dogs to help the blind and visually impaired.

Keane also revealed how his head was spinning when he took on the Sunderland job in 2006, but that he now sees himself as lucky to be at the club.

“I enjoy working with the players and I’m very lucky with the lads we have. There’s a good spirit. We know we need to improve and need a bigger, stronger squad.”

But he’s pleased with progress to date. “I’m fairly happy with the performance over the last one or two weeks.”

And that’s got to be welcome news to Triggs, who is quite possibly the Premiership’s most-walked dog so far this season.