Serene Keane pledges to avoid temptation to rant and rave

IF YOU rant and rave, you are heading for an early grave. So says Roy Keane, once the fiery midfield enforcer of Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland and now, it would seem, a changed man.

The new, impassive Keane has remained almost detached on the touchline since he moved into management with Sunderland 13 months ago.

Keane admits he is bemused by managers’ angry antics and believes some do it simply to draw attention to themselves.

He revealed: “I made a conscious decision not to be ranting and raving on the sidelines — it would probably put me in an early grave. I think there’s logic to that.

“I see other managers doing it, but if I’m going to lose my rag I’ll do it in the privacy of the dressing room.

“Of course, I have to get my points across but on the sidelines, I see other managers ranting and raving and I think, ‘That’s not a road I want to go down.’

‘‘It’s not as if I’m trying to be somebody I’m not — I’m not trying to put on an act. I’m quite relaxed in my behaviour on the sidelines.

‘‘If something needs to be said and I’m disappointed with a decision, then I’ll make it clear.

“But I’m comfortable in what I’m doing at the moment.

‘‘It’s the same with the rest of the staff here. We’re not ones for looking at other benches and jumping up and trying to get opposition players booked — you see enough of that around.

“Some appeal against every decision, but I’m not going to lose my rag about a throw-in on the halfway line, whereas some other managers would.

“If you complain all the time, it dilutes the effect. Some managers are losing it all the time. If you are going to lose it, at least lose it over a major decision, maybe a penalty or a sending-off.

“Even then, I’ve not really lost it when one or two decisions have gone against us — I think it’s a waste of time.’’

Keane faces former Manchester United teammate Mark Hughes when Blackburn Rovers visit the Stadium of Light today, but maintained: “I’ve not seen enough of Sparky to comment on his behaviour.”

The impression is that Keane and Hughes were never close as players, and the Black Cats’ boss said: “There are a lot of players — with the nature of football and especially when you move away — who you don’t keep in touch with. Sparky was a quiet one, but I had some good times with him. I’m sure he has one or two stories about me and I have one or two about him. I was very lucky to play with Sparky — he was a top player.”

Blackburn have faced claims of intimidation, but Keane said: “They have a bit of everything. They were probably heavily criticised not long ago for being too physical, but I think that’s unfair. You have to be strong and committed, but they have quality.

‘‘You look at some of their players: the lad Roque Santa Cruz looks an excellent buy, a really good player; David Bentley has very good quality; Tugay has vast experience in the middle of the park. Mark Hughes has done a good job there.”

Former Leeds left-back Ian Harte is pushing for his Sunderland debut after impressing ex-Ireland colleague Keane in training. Keane said: “Hartey has certainly added that extra bit of quality to training with his set-pieces and his passing and shooting. I think that has probably helped the likes of Danny Collins. He’s played well in the last few games because he knows the likes of Hartey are in the wings, and that’s what we need — competition for places.’’