Keane settling in well at Celtic, but making no close friends

ROY KEANE is enjoying the dressing room banter at Celtic but insists he will never become too close with any of his new team-mates.

The former Manchester United midfielder has earned a chilling reputation having controversially stormed out of the World Cup in 2002 and has been involved in other infamous incidents in the past.

But the 34-year-old admits he is settling into his new environment well, although there is no chance of forming any special bonds.

"No I never do that," said Keane. "You can't get too close to them.

"There are a few senior lads who I played against a few years ago and of course I know Dion (Dublin) from our United days.

"I am actually enjoying the banter with all of them so we get on fine. Most footballers tend to gel with each other immediately.

"I enjoy the dressing room banter and it's different crack. There are some decent lads there."

Keane has also proved some people wrong by forming a quick understanding with Neil Lennon in the centre of midfield.

"It has worked over the last few weeks but that's credit to the rest of the team," Keane told Celtic TV.

"Stilian (Petrov) has showed his versatility by playing over on the right and last week up the front.

"If I can play with Neil all well and good, and he is an excellent player and he has helped me as well."

Keane has also impressed but he has promised the Hoops faithful they will see "plenty of improvement" from him in the next few weeks.

Celtic are seemingly on course for the Bank of Scotland Premier League title and have a CIS Insurance Cup final ahead.

Keane continued: "My form has been okay but I said it would probably take me seven or eight games to get into the swing of things.

"I still think there are certain areas I need to improve on. There is plenty of improvement to come and hopefully that will come in the next few games.

"I have played a few games now and I have felt a bit fitter and sharper so I am settling in."

Keane has revealed that the club's talented youngsters are learning from him and other experienced men - but without him saying anything.

He said: "It's about the way you lead your life and hopefully the players are watching us.

"That's what I did as a young player. I watched the senior lads and it wasn't what they said to me, it was how they handled themselves.

"Not just me but some of the senior lads are rubbing off on the younger players without actually realising it.

"It's up to the younger lads and if they want to tap into it all well and good."

Keane went as far as to claim the young players were actually teaching him things and he is confident the club's future is in safe hands.

He said: "Believe it or not the younger lads help me. I can learn a lot from the younger players.

"The players have the right attitude and they try to do the right things and their attitude seems fairly spot on.

"You can have a lot of talent but if your attitude is not right then they are not going to get far but they are helping me."

Keane has been offering words of advice and encouragement to sidelined defender John Kennedy.

The Scotland international has been fighting against a career-threatening knee injury and Keane knows all about that.

Keane added: "It's unfortunate for John.

"I've had one or two bad injuries myself but it's always important for the likes of myself and the senior players to encourage John because it's a long, hard road for him."