Keane: Senior stars must step up

It’s probably inevitable that, going into these end-of-season friendlies against France and the USA, much of the media and public focus is on the new and more inexperienced players in a transitional Irish squad.

But Roy Keane was at pains yesterday to stress the weight of responsibility which falls on the more established figures, some of whom he clearly feels did not measure up to those demands in the 1-0 defeat in Antalya in March. “After the Turkey game, it’s not the new faces but the lads who’ve been around for a while — you want more from them because they are setting the tone,” said Keane.

“Lads who are new, you’ve got to give them a bit of a break. It took me 20 to 25 games to find my feet at international football. We’re talking about young lads going to Turkey from the Championship. That’s where the senior players set the tone, whether it’s in training or how they play in the games. After the Turkey game, while you’re disappointed at the loss, I was more disappointed with the senior players rather than the new lads who were finding their feet. You need a helping hand along the way.”