Roy Keane keeps his eyes on the prize

Ireland soccer manager Martin O’Neill last night dismissed an incident involving Roy Keane at the team hotel as a "distraction", saying the team was "ready to go" for tonight’s Euro 2016 clash with Scotland.

The drama unfolded in the Portmarnock Hotel shortly before 6pm on Wednesday. An Ireland supporter, understood to be Boston-based publican Frank Gillespie, approached Keane, asking him to sign a copy of Keane’s The Second Half.

According to sources, Keane had a pen in hand and was preparing to sign when a disagreement developed. The book was allegedly thrust in Keane’s direction and pages torn out, with Keane allegedly pushing back, although one source stressed it was with minimum force.