Keane backs Reid to find form

ROY KEANE has challenged Andy Reid to rediscover direction in his career with Sunderland.

Black Cats manager Keane believes the 25-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder, who moved from Charlton on Thursday in a deal worth up to £4m (e5.4m), “lost his way” in an 18-month spell at Tottenham.

Ex-Spurs boss Martin Jol took Reid to White Hart Lane from Nottingham Forest for a similar sum three years ago before he was offloaded to the Addicks for £3m (e4m).

Reid, recovering from a knee operation, won’t be available for today’s game at Liverpool, but Keane insists Sunderland fans will enjoy watching his latest acquisition.

“I believe I can get the best out of him,’ said Keane.

“I’ve played with him for Ireland and I’ve been in the dressing room with him, and he’s a talented kid.

“He lost his way a little bit at Tottenham, but he’s a good age. When I’ve seen him play for Charlton of late, he’s always up to something — he’s always trying to make things happen.

“It didn’t work out for him at Tottenham, but that happens to a lot of young players who go to London. We’re delighted to have him. He’ll give us something different. We had a conversation about his time at Tottenham, but we’ve had conversations before.

“Who brought Reidy to Tottenham? Was it the manager? Was it the sporting director? You don’t know sometimes.

“But I’ve brought him here and he’s under no illusions. He’s got a tough battle to get into the team because we have some good midfielders, but he will bring good quality.

“I possibly see him as a central midfielder. The modern midfielders should be able to adapt in most areas. I think Reidy gives us one or two options.”

Keane today returns to the scene of his senior debut with Nottingham Forest under the unique stewardship of Brian Clough.

He recalled: “I made my debut for Forest at Anfield and I played my last game for United there, when I broke a foot. So there’s mixed feelings.

“I didn’t think I was making my debut — I thought I was going to make up the kit. I remember Brian Clough making me drink a pint of milk, and I didn’t like milk. He made me drink it because he said he was putting the bottles out!

“I told him I didn’t like it and he said, ‘You have to drink it.’ And I drank it.

“I remember the players asking me my name and I said I was there to help out with the gear and Brian Clough said, ‘Throw number seven on, you’re playing.’ I thought, ‘Brilliant.’ “I wasn’t overawed because he didn’t give me time. He was a genius, he knew if he told me an hour before kick-off, I didn’t have too much time to worry — I was too busy getting my boots on. He knew what he was up to.

“The night before I was out with a few Forest lads. I’d played in a reserve game and I’d gone out for a few pints with them, so I was in a club the night before my debut.

“The next morning — after I’d played at Anfield — he asked me my name and gave me his shoes and said, ‘Polish them.’ And I polished them.

“That was Cloughie — just making sure I didn’t get carried away. I didn’t see it as him putting me down or being disrespectful. He was just being a manager and I was just a young kid over from Ireland.

“I don’t harbour any grudges. It’s like when he punched me after a game against Palace — he was right. He said, ‘Don’t backpass it,’ and he was right.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has seen his future thrown into doubt amid talk of the club being sold and the American owners’ admission that they had sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann about taking over as boss..

But Keane has immense admiration for Benitez. He said: “He’s a great manager and he has great experience. The good managers will deal with things. The Alex Fergusons and Arsene Wengers deal with things better than other managers.

“Every time you see Rafa Benitez being interviewed, he has great dignity and that has to be applauded.

“Liverpool are a top team, with a brilliant manager and a great history and they will be looking to bounce back from their defeat the other night at West Ham.

Keane took time to praise the form of Sunderland midfielder and fellow Corkman Liam Miller. He said: “We’ve known Liam was a talented lad, even when he was at Celtic.

“He’s come here and he has a lot of energy and he’s busy, but what we’re asking for — from all the players — is consistency, and we’ve seen that from him over the last few weeks.”