“That’s the one thing in my career I should have done - enjoyed it a bit more. But then again, if I did, I probably wouldn’t have been the player I was.”

It was a reflective Roy Keane who spoke to Liam Mackey in Dublin yesterday, a football icon aware that the end is nigh.

IT’S become a way to mark the passing of the seasons, Roy Keane’s annual appearance in Dublin to support a fund-raising initiative for a charity close to his heart, the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

And the event has also come to double as something of a state of the nation address, an opportunity for the Corkman to face the press and tease out some of the big issues of the day.

Two years ago, it was the setting for remarks which left the door open to his eventual return to international football. Last year, he was looking forward to the rest of Ireland’s World Cup campaign and hinting at a possible future at Celtic Park when his career would finally come to a close at Old Trafford.

That came about sooner than anyone anticipated, and this year finds Keane contemplating not only a testimonial at Old Trafford but what sounds like the last act of an extraordinary playing career. Keane is the man who virtually turned the phrase “never say never” into a mantra, but short of actually hanging up his boots in front of us yesterday, he did everything but announce the end of his career as a professional footballer next summer - a year earlier than Celtic had hoped.

“When I signed for Celtic I did say to them that it might be best for the club and myself to look at things in the summer,” he said. “They were quite keen for me to sign the extra year which I did eventually but I will look at things in the summer and see how my hip is faring up. I’m due to go back to the specialist then - if that is affecting me, I will weigh things up.

“When I had the surgery in 2002 I was told that the longer I went on the more damage I might do, in terms of the cartilage around the hip area. I’ve regarded every season as a bonus but I’ve got to look at this long-term and see what’s best for me and my family.

“The hip’s not too bad now. But from day one, the surgeon said I have to look at the bigger picture. Within ten minutes of the surgery, he told me that the damage around the cartilage was going to be the major problem. Not the tear itself, he was able to tidy that up. But he said that around the cartilage area it was coming away and he basically told me to enjoy my last few seasons. I thought I’d cross that bridge when I get to it. But I feel I’m coming to that bridge now and I’ve got to make the right decision.”

Keane admitted that fitness was the biggest challenge he faced when contemplating his future after Old Trafford.

“That was my major dilemma leaving United, not who I was going to go to,” he said. “When the options were there I always thought it was going to be Celtic, but the question mark was: did I want to play on? I felt my body had just about enough but if I had retired then this would have always been in the back of my mind - should I have given Celtic a go? I am enjoying it and it’s a great club but I said from day one I would have to look at things in the summer. There were no hidden agendas.

“I’ve always put football first but maybe, come the summer, it would be nice to put my family first. There comes a time when you have to say enough is enough. Maybe that time was a few months ago, but the challenge was to go to Celtic and try to help them win the league. The temptation is always to play on. You want to play on forever. But the body doesn’t allow that, I’m afraid.”

Practical issues also intrude, such as the fact that he’s currently commuting from the family home in Manchester and living in a hotel.

“It’s not ideal because I’m all for doing things properly. Again, I’ll look at this in the summer and see what I want to do. And, of course, family are a big part of this. Even now, I’m away three or four days in the week. My two youngest miss me.”

And out on the playing field, Keane is having to deal with the ravages of time and a growing awareness of his physical limitations. And, as we know, Roy Keane was never one to settle for less than the best - especially from himself.

“The enjoyment is less,” he admitted. “When you’re physically not right, it’s only natural that you lose that enjoyment. Wearing the Celtic jersey is good. But the problem with me is that I’m so bloody focused on trying to play and win the matches, that it passes me by. That’s one thing in my career that I should have done - enjoyed it a bit more. But then again, if I did, I probably wouldn’t have been the player I was.

“I promised myself when I went to Celtic that I would try to lighten up a small bit and enjoy it. I probably have. I’ve enjoyed the games but of course you still have to win. There are days when I feel sharp. But there’s more and more average games - that’s the hard part - that’s what gets to you in the end I suppose.”

Is it depressing for him to think of the end game approaching?

“Far from it. I feel ready for it. Getting off the roller-coaster, I’m looking forward to that. Even when I left United, I went to Celtic and there’s a roller-coaster there with the intensity and all the attention. And even when I come back to Ireland, that’s there. I really don’t know why people are interested in Roy Keane, I don’t understand why.

“It would be nice to have a break from that. But even if I do decide to come back into management, I’d like a year or two off first, especially for my wife and kids. When I left United, it taught me a harsh lesson, in terms of how this is the reality of football - it’s cold. But I was always aware of that anyway, I was under no illusions. But when you’re away from football and at home for four or five weeks, you really appreciate your family, your children.”

KEANE also revealed yesterday that his testimonial match - in which he will turn out for Celtic against Manchester United at Old Trafford - is likely to take place on May 9, with all proceeds going to charities in Manchester, Glasgow, Dublin and Cork. But the Corkman is a reluctant recipient of the accolade.

“It wasn’t something I’d planned,” he said. “If I was going to see out my contract, maybe, but it just doesn’t sit comfortably with me. It’s hard to explain. United and Celtic have been encouraging and it will be nice to go back in the sense that I never had a chance to say goodbye to the fans.”

Keane is anxious to keep the event as uncomplicated as possible. “You won’t be seeing many photographs, I won’t be turning it into a big publicity stunt. But hopefully it will turn out all right on the night. I know there’s been players criticised over the years [for testimonials] but if United and Celtic fans want to go to the game, well and good. If they don’t, I’d say don’t bother.”

Is his discomfort with the concept to do with the manner in which he left Old Trafford?

“No, I don’t feel uncomfortable with the way I left Man United. That was very straightforward between myself and the manager, even if people are looking for a different angle on it. We’d both come to the end. It’s like when you’re in a relationship with a girl, you just know when it’s at the end - and that’s the way it was. It was over, that’s it, time to move on.

Of course, some people continue to exchange texts...

“Nah,” he laughed, “I don’t have his number.”

But has he had contact with Alex Ferguson?

“Yeah, I’ve met the manager since. There’s no problem. He’s been encouraging me to have the testimonial. He might want to play I suppose.”

And not pick you?

“I’ll be in the Celtic dressing room so he won’t have that problem,” Keane laughed.

Speaking of former alliances: is it true that he has fallen out with Eamon Dunphy?

“No. Don’t believe what you read. How could I fall out with Eamon?”

There are many ways...

“True,” he grinned. “I’ve not met Eamon for a while but if I did, I’d be quite happy to have a chat with him.”

Any plans to write another book?

“The strange thing is within a week or two of leaving United, I had a few offers of silly money. If I was to do another book, I think it would be more of a reflection. My last book was probably a bit ... I’m not sure what the word is.

Rant?

“No, no. Yeah, yeah. Maybe [laughs]. Even though, I think it was a good book.”

Any regrets about that book?

“No. I did what I think was right at the time. The major things that happened in my career, looking back now - Saipan, leaving United - you’ve got to do what you think is right and I did what I felt was right. And I’ll take that to the grave with me.”

And what of mending fences?

“In time, I think things will fall into place. You can’t go round trying to make a decision that will please everybody else. I think I’ve done that in other issues in my life. But regarding Saipan or even leaving United, you’ve got to do what you think is right. But listen. It’s not really important, is it? I know they’ve made a play out of it and people have made a lot of money out of it. I enjoyed the play. It was a piss-take, wasn’t it. I do laugh at myself. People think I have a wall around myself but you’ve got to laugh at yourself now and again.”

So what comes next for Roy Keane? Celtic will continue to dominate his life at least until the summer when he might find time to take the next steps in completing his coaching badges. But if Keane is to return to football as a manager, it might not be for some time - if at all.

“If I do go down the football route, I would look to be a manager,” he said. “I wouldn’t go half-hearted and do a little bit here and a little bit there. In the meantime, I would like a bit of time away from football, time to do something with my family.”

Like?

“Travelling. Skiing. [A pause]. Scuba diving.”

Roy Keane was smiling as he said it. But he left the best punchline for last.

How about working in the media?

“No,” he relied firmly. “I want a proper job.”