Viera: 'I respect Keane'

Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira insists he has plenty of respect for Roy Keane ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and France in Dublin.

Vieira, who left the Gunners for Juventus this summer, and Manchester United skipper Keane clashed several times in the Premiership with the situation coming to a head in a slanging match in the Highbury tunnel last February.

The incident was dismissed as “part of the game” by Vieira, who is adamant there is a healthy respect between the pair.

“I know him well and there has been quite a lot of tension between us on the pitch, but we respect each other,” said Vieira.

“It always ended with us shaking hands at the end of the match. I know he will be tough with me and I will be tough with him too.

“He is a very determined man, like me.”

Vieira lost the captain’s armband to Zinedine Zidane following the Real Madrid playmaker’s return to international football but he insists it was a decision he fully understood.

“I guess I am more like a vice-captain now,” Vieira said.

“I am not the official captain anymore but the importance I have in the group is the same. My captaincy was short but I am proud of it. And Zizou did not steal if from me.

“It was sorted out between me, the coach and Zizou. Things are clear for everyone and we are coping well with them.”