Keane: O’Neill a ‘bloody good manager’
The Ireland boss has come under fire recently on the back of successive 1-1 home draws against Poland and Scotland that leave the team’s Euro qualification destiny in the balance.
“There was of negativity after the Scotland result, but I think we’re still in there with a fighting chance,” said O’Neill’s assistant. “Martin is a bloody good manager but nobody seems to have any patience. There’s a lot of bluffers in football management but look at Martin’s record. He’s lasted a long time because he’s been successful.
“I think the Irish team has lost momentum in the last five years and we’re trying to get that back.
“But Robbie Keane is our big hope and he turned up for the Scotland game injured. We’re nearly a decent team.”
Keane claimed he won’t feel hard done by if failure to reach France next year results in O’Neill and him getting sacked by the FAI.
“Will we qualify? Please God. We’ll do our best and that’s all we can do. If the FAI say you’re out the door, I’ll be fine. I will survive. I’ve had a good life. I’ve adapted to life after football better than I thought I would. I’m not fearful of losing my job. That’s not to say I’m blasé about it.
“All these ifs and ands? If we don’t qualify would the FAI keep us? Big question mark.
“Will Martin want to stay on? Big question mark. He’s a very proud man. If he did stay on would he want me to stay on with him? If he’s gone obviously I’ll be gone. If Martin’s stayed on, do I want to get back into the driving seat myself? We’ll see.
“Things might change depending on results over the next few months,’ he admitted. ‘I’m very content. Long term, do I see myself going back into management? Yeah. And I think there will be a job out there for me.”
Keane claims the paucity of Irish players operating at the top level of the Premier League has now become “frightening”.
As assistant to Ireland boss Martin O’Neill, the Corkman has seen for himself the dearth of quality available to replace an ageing squad.
Conversely, Keane broke into the Ireland squad in the early 1990s when it was backboned by players drawn from Liverpool, Arsenal and his own Manchester United squad.
As things stands, the Premier League season will begin without any Irish-born player under the age of 25.
“Where are these players? How come they’re not at the bigger clubs? It’s definitely a worry,” said Keane last night at a fundraiser for Barretstown held at the Olympia Theatre.
“First and foremost when we’re talking about selecting a [Ireland] squad, ideally you want them out in the Premiership and playing every week.
“When you’re talking about selecting players I want them playing at the top clubs and playing every week. And when I say the top clubs I mean the Man Uniteds and playing in the Champions League. We will suffer on the international front and some of our players aren’t even regulars in the Championship. We can’t make excuses for Irish players just because clubs are recruiting from Africa and further away. If you’re good enough and hungry enough you have to compete with that.
“You have to roll your sleeves up and get on with it. It’s frightening to think none of our lads are really competing. We’ve got a couple of good young players at Man r City that we’d hope can push on but it’s a big problem and not a quick fix.”
Keane insisted he wasn’t despondent after Ireland’s 1-1 draw against Scotland a fortnight ago which leaves their Euro qualification hopes hanging by a thread. “The players gave everything against Scotland but just didn’t get the result,” he said.
“Our goalkeeper Shay Given hardly have a save to make so I wasn’t downbeat. Maybe there was a lack of quality there but no lack of effort. Sometimes, you just don’t get the luck.
“The only thing that disappoints me is when players don’t give 100%.”
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