Roy doesn’t ‘begrudge’ players

Roy Keane says he has no problem with professional footballers being rewarded with “the houses and the Bentleys and the blondes” — as long as they don’t forget it’s hard work which underpins their success.

“I wouldn’t begrudge them that as long as they’re giving it their all,” he said yesterday.

“We all have different things that we like to spend our money on. That wasn’t a problem for me, particularly when I was a player at Manchester United. The lads enjoyed their bit of success and I thought, go for it, but I’d always remind people: don’t take your eye off the ball.

“I’ve said it a few times over the years, don’t forget what got you the houses and the Bentleys and the blondes. Or brunettes, or whatever you fancy. Don’t forget what got you there. That’s the hunger, the desire, training well and when you get the big contracts and the medals at the end of the season, that’s just obviously a reward for your hard work.

“Don’t get it mixed up. I found a lot of players when I was a manager — the younger players — they wanted the Bentleys and the blondes and whatever but without actually doing the hard work.”

Even in management, Keane told The Ray D’Arcy Show, he likes to maintain the good habits he developed as a player.

“I think it’s important for a manager to feel physically good, I think it’s good for the head,” he said. “I’d hate to be one of these ex-players that puts on loads of weight. You have to have a bit of pride particularly if you go back into it. I think it’s very hard to be taking coaching sessions and you’re, like, two stone overweight. If you’re trying to carry a message to the players about fitness and diet and sleeping well and resting and whatever — without preaching at them too much — I’d hate to be coming across as not looking after myself.”