So Faroe so good

ROY KEANE tends to ration his public utterances these days, so there was a little collective shiver of anticipation among the press when it was announced he would be joining Brian Kerr for the eve of match press conference.

And the wait was worth it. Much like his football in recent times, Keane’s words are measured, controlled, waste-free but still capable of packing some power. When Roy speaks, everyone listens. Hard-earned wisdom means that if his comments don’t quite carry the clout of papal infallibility, then they certainly keep the bull to a minimum. And sometimes, the devil is in the details.

Take his response to a question about the game in Paris, and how this draw compared to Irish draws in the past which had virtually been hailed as victories.

Back then, Keane had been critical of a lack of ambition, of what he saw as a willingness to settle for second-best. So, did the fact that Ireland failed to take all three points on Saturday leave him with any sense of regret?

“I wouldn’t say regret no, but I don’t think there’s any need to be jumping around the streets either, hugging and crying, which seemed to happen before when we got a half-decent result,” he said.

“I think a lot has changed regarding Brian and the staff. And the players too are ambitious, I sense that in the camp. Even after the game, there was satisfaction but we also know there’s a long way to go yet.”

As a follow-up, he’s asked if he thinks Ireland can not only qualify for Germany 2006 but actually challenge for the title.

“Again, I felt before that when we did qualify, that seemed to be the end of it. People celebrating and relaxing too much, I suppose. I think things have changed here. But we’re talking about a campaign and we have a game coming up against the Faroe Islands, and I think we shouldn’t really look further than that. I think that would be disrespectful to the team we’re playing. And we’ve been in football long enough to know that football can turn around and kick you in the teeth.”

What then is his assessment of Ireland’s campaign to date?

“So far so good. We’ve been down this road many times before and in the remainder of the group there’s going to be ups and downs and we need to be ready for that. It was a decent result the other night. Over the last few years a lot of the young players have gained extra experience and I think it showed in Paris. It was quite a mature performance. But we know that’s history now there’s a long way to go yet.”

How good is the current Irish team compared to ones he’s played with in the past?

“It’s a hard question to answer. It’s disrespectful to the other players who’ve played and anyway it’s hard to compare different teams. But this team is very strong, and not just the team that played the other night. There’s other lads in the squad who are very good players and who are putting the lads in the team under pressure.”

Would he agree that Paris saw a much more coherent Irish performance than the previous month’s outing in Basel? Again, Keane sounds a note of caution.

“Maybe so but you’ve got to remember that it’s still early in the group. There were parts of the game in Switzerland where we did well and other parts where we didn’t do so well. But we got a draw away from home against decent opposition and that seems to be getting harder. But, as I said, you’d like to think that we will improve over the campaign. Because we’ll need to if we want to qualify.”

In what way could things improve? “It would have been nice to have nicked a goal the other night. But we’ll see after the game against the Faroes how far we’ve come since the campaign started.

One veteran central midfielder on a comparative newcomer to the role - what were Keane’s thoughts on Kevin Kilbane’s Man of the Match showing in Paris?

“Yeah, he played well but then I think over the last year or two Kevin has done really well in all the matches. He’s physically very strong, and he showed the other night he can put a few tackles in.”

Then there’s Keane’s adaptable club colleague John O’ Shea, recently playing full back for Ireland but midfield for Manchester United.

“John’s got a good footballing brain,” Keane stressed. “He’s adapted well to his role in midfield at United. Obviously we bought another defender in the summer so like the rest of the players at United, John’s under pressure to perform. I’ve spoken to John before about this. If you’re in the starting 11 at United you’ve got to be happy, you’ve got to adapt and you’ve got to be willing to learn. And John’s certainly done that.”

And what of Roy on Roy? How does he feel he’s performed since making his international comeback?

“I think I’ve done okay. I think my performances could have been better.In Paris I felt in the second-half I was poor. But I think I contribute to the team and that will always be the priority - the team. And if I can keep doing that and we keep getting results, I’ll be fairly happy. Like any player, you’re always hoping to improve on your performance, even if other people feel you’ve done well. If you’re honest with yourself, you know there’s plenty of room for improvement. So I hope there’s a lot more to come from me.”

Why does he think he’s not playing to his own highest standards? The deadpan response, complete with punch line, produces a laugh.

“I dunno. I’m working hard, I’m preparing as well as I can, I’m looking after myself but I do still feel it’s early in the season. I like to think I improve as the season goes on. I usually peak about May.”

How has he found juggling obligations to both club and country?

“It’s not been too bad. At United I’ve been part of the squad rotation recently and I’ve been getting plenty of breaks. So it’s been okay. Obviously I had to take that into the equation when I came back - look at the fixtures and so on - but it was something I felt I wanted to do. Now I feel it’s been the right decision. I’ve enjoyed coming back and I feel I can contribute to both United and Ireland 100%. I’ve got this year and next year - a lot of people seem to think I’m on my last legs but I hope I’ve got a bit more to give over the next year and a bit.”

But he does concede that years of physical wear and tear have forced him to adjust his style of play, even to the extent of - ye Gods! - taking the odd breather now in the course of 90 minutes.

“Yeah, maybe so. I think I’ve had to adapt my game over the last year or two but that’s just part of any footballer’s life really. But, as I said, I’ve always felt that from the start of my career I’ve been a team player and I feel I can still contribute to both Ireland and United. I still feel I’m not too bad of a player. Between games too, I’ve had to adapt. It’s actually a tough discipline to rest. But I’ve had to do that even over the last few days. I was not bad this morning at training and I’ll be ready for the Faroes and hopefully another match on Saturday. So as soon as a game finishes you’re already preparing for the next match, and that’s just stuff I’ve learned from experience and speaking to the experts and other senior players.

He also reveals that he’s been doing yoga at United. “A little bit. It helps in regard to stretching your body. Simple as that.”

But is squad rotation something he might need to avail of for Ireland? “No,” comes the blunt reply. “I feel confident I can play in all the matches.”

The next question produces another moment of levity, as Keane is asked if he’s enjoying his role as a father figure to the younger players in the Irish squad?

“There’s one or two other experienced lads within the squad but if I can help the younger players, by the way I train and look after myself, then well and good. I have a quiet word if they come and look for advice or just in general conversation at the dinner table, maybe speak about the way I prepare for games or how I work on my recovery after the games. Just small little things.”

As our time draws to a close Keano is asked if the atmosphere generated by the Irish support in the Stade de France brought back happy memories of Giants Stadium in the ’94 World Cup .

“The atmosphere in Paris was brilliant but in every away match that’s the way the Irish fans are. ’94 was fantastic of course but the Irish fans always seem to enjoy themselves, there’s never any trouble and they enjoy a sing-song. It’s a major, major boost for the team, especially at Lansdowne. And we need that again against the Faroes.”

Which brings us to tonight’s game and another version of his famous ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ mantra. It may only be the Faroes but he leaves no doubt the job has to be done right.

“There’s no guarantees in football,” says Keane. “We’ll just have to prepare as well as we can, treat their team with the same respect we gave France. And with the team we have, and playing at Lansdowne Road, you always feel we have a chance. But again if you’ve been in football long enough you can’t take anything for granted. The players certainly aren’t. You saw them training this morning - it was nice and sharp. And we’ll be ready and focused. And if you’re like that you always fancy your chances.” He pauses for emphasis.

“Always.”