Keane reveals he came close to playing with Irish team again

ROY KEANE has revealed how close he came to making a return to international soccer following Brian Kerr’s appointment as the manager of the Republic of Ireland.

In the revised paperback version of his book, ‘Keane: the Autobiography’ the Corkman says there were a lot more positives than negatives about a return to international soccer following his retirement following the infamous spat with Mick McCarthy in Saipan.

He says that he met Kerr for a chat after he was made Irish manager because “he had a reputation for being thorough, knowledgeable and professional” and that the discussion went well.

“Would I come back and help Ireland qualify for the Euro 2004 Finals? Brian spoke persuasively about his plans, assuring me that he would not tolerate a return to the bad old days when turning up for major championships was the height of Irish ambitions. He wanted to draw a line under the past and so, in a sense, did I.

“Which is why, as we spoke, I began to reconsider my position. I loved playing for my country, the 90 minutes on the pitch at least.

The prospect of somehow making up for the Saipan mess or proving that with the right approach Ireland could contend at international level, appealed to me. Appealed that is, to my heart.

“My head told me that for what remained of my career I should look after my body, get as much rest as possible and devote all my energy to Manchester United.

“By the time Brian and I had finished talking, my heart was beginning to get the better of the argument. What were we talking about? Six more qualifying games over 12 months. Then, if we did our stuff, a 1st opportunity to play in the finals of a major tournament in Portugal in 2004.

“If, as he later claimed, Brian left our meeting with a clear impression that I would be coming back, I don’t blame him.”

However, a meeting the following morning with Alex Ferguson changed all that.

“In the cold light of the following day when I went to see the manager to discuss a possible international comeback, I had to face some other realities, one principally: my responsibility to Manchester United.

“I was just regaining match-fitness. I’d already missed half a season. The advice of Mr Villar (his surgeon) was to rest whenever possible in order to avoid any recurrence of my hip problems, could not really be squared with the demands of an international return.”