Roy Keane has spoken a lot of sense since he became a manager. He has been articulate when expressing his views and often humorous in his observations, but I wonder whether the Irishman regrets what he said about Shay Given this week?
Sorry, Keane doesn’t do regret, just as he doesn’t do friends, but for the first time since he arrived at Sunderland I feel he has said something he shouldn’t have when it comes to his former international teammate.
Not that Keane will give a you know what about what I think about it, but I just feel that criticising someone for wanting to play as many games as he can for his country is, well, just a little bit harsh!
Few could argue that Given is anything but an impeccable professional, meticulous in his preparation and determined in action. In other words, he is precisely the sort of player Keane would presumably enjoy working with and I’m sure he did when they were international colleagues.
I guess Keane’s comments were made because he felt Shay’s craving to win as many caps as he can for Eire - the Newcastle goalkeeper made his 80th in the win over Slovakia this week - was depriving the back-up keepers of a chance to gain international experience.
Yes, it probably is frustrating to play in Given’s shadow - just ask Steve Harper - but Shay only wants to play because he feels that is what he is paid to do. He is proud to represent his country and, let’s face it, having stayed at Newcastle for longer than some feel he should, personal achievements are always likely to out-number the trophies he wins.
So becoming Ireland’s record cap holder, or breaking the appearance record at Newcastle, are things he probably attaches a lot of importance to. When you have won as much as Keane, maybe he simply doesn’t understand that desire.
Mind you, it’s bound to crank up the tension ahead of, if things go to plan at the Stadium of Light, the return of the North-East derbies next season!
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