Keane did a ‘fantastic job’ at Sunderland, says Bruce

SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce has defended his former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane who he said did a “fantastic job” as manager of the Black Cats.

Sunderland returned to the Premier League under the Corkman but some supporters thought he wasted millions in the transfer market and were not happy with some of his comments as he departed.

Bruce has been at Sunderland a month today and in his short time in charge he’s discovered just how difficult it is to attract players to Wearside and why Keane needed to spend so much money.

“Make no mistake, Roy Keane did a fantastic job here,” Bruce said. “They were, what, bottom of the Championship? He kept them up then got them up. That is some going. That is difficult, but he did it very successfully.

“To be fair to Roy, when he was here for a couple of years they were in the Championship, then getting out of it. It’s always difficult in your first year or so to try and attract the calibre of player you want to the club.”

Bruce has discovered it is very hard to attract London based and foreign players.

“I can understand his frustration,” he added. “I don’t think it’s the football club. Unfortunately, it’s geographical. Plonk this football club in the middle of London and you’d have no problem. Up where we are, it’s difficult.’’