Roy rallies troops as O’Brien ban bid fails

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has used the timely return of Roy Keane to boost the troops ahead of Wednesday’s now-crucial World Cup Group 4 qualifier against the Faroe Islands.

“Of course, it’s a lift that’s he’s back,” said Kerr, who revealed: “Roy spoke in the dressing room on Saturday night, said a few words, a few positive things. And I remember distinctly in France when we were all fairly happy with how it went, he said then there’d be a few bumps in this group yet.”

Keane reportedly advised the team not to dwell on the negatives of the Israel game but rather to focus on the three points up for grabs in the Faroes which would return Ireland to the top of Group 4.