Keane angry with Trap over O’Dea injury

ROY KEANE has accused Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland set-up of a lack of professionalism after Ipswich defender Darren O’Dea returned from international duty with a hamstring injury sustained during a second half in which he wasn’t expected to play.

The Tractor Boys’ boss says Trapattoni disregarded a request to give the on-loan Celtic man only 45 minutes of the Norway friendly as he made his return from knee surgery.

“Darren O’Dea’s come back from Ireland with a tight hamstring. He hasn’t played for six weeks, we made a request that he has 45 minutes and he plays for 67 and comes off with a tight hamstring.

“That’s where we are at the moment, things aren’t going our way and people are taking the mick out of us, we’re not happy on that side of it. But we’ll be OK.”

Keane feels that anyone would be frustrated by such a situation: “I don’t know of any other club or manager who puts up with a player who has been injured for six weeks staying on the pitch for 67 minutes and coming off with a tight hamstring. It is unprofessional from the Irish set-up.

“But that argument’s for another day. Let’s see how Darren is tomorrow, you never know, he might be fit. But for a player to come off with a tight hamstring, it’s ridiculous.

“It’s unprofessional to treat a player like that. We can be disappointed but I’m pretty sure Celtic will be as well.”

The former Ireland skipper’s mood wasn’t helped by the knee problem which required the surgery having been sustained while O’Dea was on international duty in September.

“He picked up the previous injury when he was away with Ireland and they took him to Armenia. After getting off the plane, having been on a six or seven-hour flight, he was told they didn’t think he was 100% fit and sent him back here.”

Keane says he’s not a boss who withdraws his players from international squads at the drop of a hat.

“I’ve never stopped my players going away for international duty, even for friendlies. But if a player’s coming back from injury, give him a break. If he’s been out for six weeks, just play him for 45 minutes. That’s why we’re frustrated.”