Keane won't play while McCarthy is boss

Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane wants to play for the Republic of Ireland again, but not while Mick McCarthy is manager.

A row at this summer’s World Cup saw McCarthy send Keane home before the tournament kicked off in Japan and South Korea.

However, the response he has received from fans has rekindled Keane’s desire to represent his country.

"Hopefully I might get back to playing for the Irish team again - but I will only go back if there is a new manager - and that is out of my hands," Keane told the Daily Star.

Keane returned to Ireland with Manchester United to play a pre-season friendly against Shelbourne.

"The reception I got when I went back to Ireland last week with Manchester United was fantastic," he said.

"I never had a problem with going back. In fact, I was looking forward to it, but it was quite moving all the same.

"I think the fans can see through a lot of things and through people. And I think things have been found out now and they know where I have been coming from.

"The reception I got made me realise how important going back there and playing for Ireland is.

"I know there are a lot of Manchester United supporters there but, in general, the Irish fans have given me a lot of support.

"No-one was more disappointed than me about what happened t the World Cup, but life moves on and I hope the Irish team moves on."