Bob the Builder better than Roy the writer - McAteer

Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer is unimpressed by the revelations in Roy Keane’s soon-to-be-released autobiography.

Keane’s book is being serialised in the press ahead of its release at the end of August.

But McAteer, who was a member of the World Cup squad this summer when Keane was sent home after arguing with manager Mick McCarthy, said: “I’d rather buy a Bob the Builder CD for my two-year-old son.”

Keane has been scathing about his Manchester United and Ireland team-mates, McCarthy, former boss Jack Charlton and even the FA Cup.

McAteer added: “I haven’t bought the newspapers where the extracts were published, I won’t be buying the book and I think the other lads are the same.

“The whole Roy Keane thing seems to be rearing its ugly head every five minutes. But the players have moved on.

“We’ve not been shocked by what he said because we know him better than anyone.

“We know he’s capable of this, and it will be the same for the Manchester United lads – they won’t be shocked about him having a go at them because he says it all in the dressing room anyway.”

The Sunderland man questioned the timing of Keane’s book and felt the attack on Charlton was particularly unjustified.

“It just puzzles me that someone should release a book having a go at everyone when he is still playing, rather than when he’s retired.

“Sometimes you can see where he is coming from. But then you hear he is calling Jack Charlton a ‘joke’. I mean, let’s be serious. The man took Ireland from virtually nowhere to two World Cups.

“It’s the pinnacle for any country, and he did it twice. If there’s a joke in that, I don’t get it.”