Clough urges Fergie to curb Keane

Legendary boss Brian Clough has urged Alex Ferguson to use his authority to curb the excesses of shamed skipper Roy Keane.

Clough was responsible for bringing Keane to England as an unheralded teenager and developed him into one of the finest players of his generation.

However, the former Nottingham Forest chief believes his protégé has gone too far, following his recent controversial revelations by elbowing Jason McAteer in last Saturday’s Premiership clash with Sunderland.

Keane will avoid serving his ban for that incident, and a possible FA charge into his autobiography, by spending three months on the sidelines recovering from the hip operation he had this afternoon.

And in that time, Clough believes Ferguson should take the chance to sort his captain out.

“It is reaching crisis point now,” admitted Clough on BBC GMR.

“Roy is an experienced man, recognised as one of the best players in the world and Alex has to say ‘I’m sorry, you are damaging my reputation as a manager, you have to curtail this temper because I am suffering from it as well as you’.

“Alex has got to stand his ground now. It is not enough to give Roy moral or physical support.

“People say if you curb Roy’s physical approach it will take away part of his game – that’s just an excuse.

“It’s not like a painter where you can nullify his talents by taking his paintbrush away.

“The game lasts 90 minutes and you should be able to get on with your job and stay out of trouble. It is not a lot to ask once you become a mature player.”