Keano committed to settling old scores

We’ve long been familiar with the concept of death by a thousand cuts. This week we learned about publication by a thousand tweets. 

Yesterday at the Aviva Stadium, the man from the publishers was forced to concede that the planned billing of Roy Keane’s official book launch in Dublin as “a world exclusive” had been undermined somewhat by the torrent of leaks which flowed all week following its premature release at a supermarket in England.

The person responsible, he added with a small smile, was now understood to be the first in line for a job at the new Tesco branch in Kazakhstan.

No matter.

When the subject of the autobiography in question — written in collaboration with Roddy Doyle — is the one and only Keano, there will always be an appetite for more.

And so there was a full media presence in attendance when himself took his seat at the top table, his fully bearded visage in striking contrast to the clean-shaven look he sports on the cover of Roy Keane – The Second Half.

But, facial foliage or not, with Keane it’s always the eyes that have it, especially when they’re coldly trained on an adversary.

“Obviously, Ferguson had friends in the media,” he said of his bitter feud with Alex Ferguson. “There are a few of them here today. I can spot them a mile away. He was pals with them and he put little snippets about me out there. It was lies, basic lies. And now is the time. I had to bide my time and I’ve waited long enough.

“But I think the book is quite upbeat as well. There’s some good stories — I had some great days. It’s not all about falling out with people.

“Strangely enough, in the course of my career, I actually don’t think I fell out with that many people.” Asked if he might ever forgive his former manager, he hesitated. “Good question,” he said, after a pause.

“I’m not sure, I’m not sure. Football is a small world and, eventually, you will cross paths with people again.”

But not last night, even if the fates had conveniently arranged for Alex Ferguson to also be in Dublin, speaking at a Dublin Chamber of Commerce dinner.

“I will be busy tonight,” Keane said, “getting ready for the game on Saturday, so there’s no meeting up.”

But, before that, there was the really big question of the day to be negotiated: Like, what’s with the beard, Roy?

“I am just being a little bit lazy. But if you want me to get rid of it, I might.”