No surprise by former Irish internationals

AS has been the case throughout his career, Roy Keane was once more attracting divergent reaction with this latest chapter in his footballing life.

The news, or at least the timing, was a vintage example of the Keane PR machine, relayed with breathless abandon on RTÉ minutes after six o’clock.

There was of course no words from the man of the moment. Instead, a simple typed statement relayed to the nation what many had already expected.

It was not surprising then that there were no dropped jaws among ex-Irish internationals as the news of the retirement filtered through.

Despite the media speculation that Keane was about to answer Ireland’s call for the remaining Euro 2004 qualifiers, some of his former team-mates like John Aldridge and Alan McLoughlin understood why the Manchester United captain made the decision.

“I would have loved to see him back in a green jersey, but it was not to be,” said Aldridge. “You can look at it two ways. If it elongates his career, you understand it. But, it is sad for Irish football.

"He is probably second only to Paul McGrath in the all-time Irish greats and I hope that is the way he is remembered. However, I am sure there are the pessimists who will only remember the last World Cup,” the ex-striker said.

Given the continued success the careers of Alan Shearer and Dennis Bergkamp have enjoyed since international retirement, the decision was understandable to most ex-internationals, although it should be noted that Shearer’s English form was suffering before his retirement, having only scored two goals in his last 10 games.

However current goalkeeper, Shay Given, though disappointed by the news, admitted that the decision is probably best for the Corkman, in the realms of the Premiership at least.

Former Manchester United and Ireland striker Frank Stapleton is another who played the Shearer card. He believes that those at Old Trafford had a big influence on Keane’s decision.

“I’m not really surprised. There were some indications that he might come back into the international fold but I think it is a lot to do with Manchester United.

“The manager might have said, ‘We want you for the next two to three years, you’ve had some injuries and the less games you play the better for us.’ “That is where his wages are paid and that is a big influence.

“Alan Shearer has looked fantastic since giving up international football. People are clamouring for him to come back but I don’t think he would be doing as well if he was playing international football.

"When you are in your thirties it is difficult to maintain the same standards.

"With Roy I think with the fact that he had that hip operation and he has a big problem with his cruciate and the fact that as you get that little bit older it takes that bit longer to recover for matches and I think the manager will be saying, that you don’t need this travel and you don’t need the intensity of the international games and you need to concentrate on your career at club level.

“I think you have to take this decision on face value. Maybe he told Brian Kerr at that time and Brian was not at liberty to reveal that to anyone, it was Roy who had to do that.

“I think certain people will be disappointed as they had been pinning their hopes on him coming back, getting the team back in the European championships and the others who will say good riddance.

"But I think the majority of people will be disappointed.”

Former team-mate Alan McLoughlin was also of the belief that Keane had done what was best for Keane, given the injuries which have haunted him in recent years.

“Nobody can be surprised by Roy’s decision. Obviously, it would have been different if it came out of the blue. Given the injuries that Roy has had, added to what happened last summer, I think everyone can understand why he took the decision.

"He has looked at Shearer, and seen how he has come on leaps and bounds. I think it is something we are going to see a lot more of in the future, the way club football has become so important and there is nothing countries or associations will be able to do about it.

"It’s a great shame but I think, given time, the public will understand his decision,” he said.