Roy still has plenty to offer Celtic, says Kerr

FORMER Republic of Ireland coach Brian Kerr has reassured Celtic that the serious injuries Roy Keane suffered during his career will not affect his combative style.

The 34-year-old has endured serious knee and hip injuries - and has just recovered from breaking a bone in his foot in September.

Kerr was the coach who persuaded Keane to end his two-year exile from international football following the former Manchester United captain’s row with ex-Republic boss Mick McCarthy just before the 2002 World Cup.

Kerr said: “I don’t think - either in training or playing - there was any compromise in Roy’s style of play.

“He was still as hard-tackling and he was not inhibited mentally.”

According to Kerr, since undergoing a hip operation in September 2002, Keane has been careful in the way he recovers and prepares for games and now practices yoga to help that process.

“I think he has begun to understand his own body in a much better way,” said Kerr.

“He has a fantastic reputation for being a hard trainer and driving himself to the limits in training but he has learnt how to balance preparing for and playing in matches and recovering from them.

“He saw doing yoga as crucial to the recovery process and after playing he had particular exercises that were vital to him.

“The day or two after playing a game were definitely more important to him than other players. Having had the hip operation I think he has played more games than he thought he would.

“To my knowledge he hasn’t put a limit on how many games he can play each season.”

Keane, who agreed an 18-month contract with the Glasgow giants in December, is expected to make his debut against Clyde in the Scottish Cup on Sunday.

And from watching Keane playing for the Republic, Kerr is confident the veteran still has plenty to offer Gordon Strachan’s side.

“He still brought a great presence and a great drive to the team,” added Kerr.

“You couldn’t help but admire his ability to get to the ball and his anticipation in games.

“In training the tempo was better, the passing was quicker and the momentum was better when he was around.”

Keane has frequently talked about his desire to go into management when he finally retires as a player and Kerr is convinced he has all the attributes to make a good manager.

“I could certainly see him as a coach and as a manager - he is very intense about the game and thinks a lot about it,” said Kerr.

“He understands the key to winning matches is in the preparation. He has talked about how important it is in the way you prepare for games - that gives him a great start.

“To be a manager you have to give time, energy and dedication to the job.

“He has the strength of personality, communication and intelligence to go into it if he wants to do it.”