Keane faces up to his darkest day

ROY KEANE’S character is entirely shaped by his high standards, from the vast array of medals he has stashed in a draw somewhere to his volcanic reaction when others have not reached his expectations.

But his response to watching his newly-promoted side being shredded before his eyes reflects his other main character trait: brutal honesty.

The bravest man in the world on Saturday was the policeman who knocked on Sunderland’s dressing room door at 5.45pm to remind Keane that the team coach’s escort was due to leave in 15 minutes.