Video Celts: World Cup

Friday, 20 November 2009

Keano goes tonto!

Roy Keane has waded into the controversy surrounding the France-Ireland match by saying that the Irish have no one to blame but themselves.

The simmering anger that has never been far below the surface since Keane walked out of the 2002 World Cup exploded again today at the pre-match media conference apparently to preview tomorrow's match with Sheffield Wednesday.

After the fall-out with Mick McCarthy in 2002 Keane retained a high level of sympathy and support throughout Ireland as he let rip with a string of complaints about McCarthy and the FAI.

That support has never left Keane through his career moves from Manchester United through to Celtic, Sunderland and now on to Ipswich.

However his criticism of the team that faced France, the defenders and goalkeeper Shay Given in particular, will surely bring about a sea change in opinion with few dissenters in Ireland over the injustice of Wednesday's KO inspired by the cheating of Thierry Henry.

Keane has never gone with the flow, he has often enjoyed the role of the rebel, but his barbed comments about the events in Paris are likely to push his supporters into a corner that can't be defended.

COMMOTION

"I've been amazed by the commotion over the last few days," the Ipswich boss said. "Yeah of course Henry handled the ball but I'd be more focused on why didn't they clear it? I'd be more annoyed with my defenders and goalkeeper than Thierry Henry.

"How can you let the ball bounce about in the six yard box? How can you let Thierry Henry get goal-side of you? And if the ball is bouncing in the six yard box I'd be saying where the hell is my goalkeeper?

"They should have cleared it, the defenders let the ball bounce in the six yard box.

"If that was my team I'd go into the dressing room and I wouldn't even mention the handball I'd just say why didn't anyone head it? Defenders have to focus on the players, there is only one ball, just go and head it.

"Where is my goalkeeper? The ball bounced in the six yard box from a free-kick just inside the halfway line, that's what I'd be asking about not about the handball.

Keane added: "Ireland had the chances over the two games and never took them, in the first game they never performed, in the second half (in Paris) we had opportunities to score and didn't take them.

DECISIONS

"But it's the usual FAI reaction, we've been robbed, the honesty of the game. There was one of the group matches, I'm sure it was Georgia where Ireland got a penalty it was one of the worst decisions that I've ever seen, one which changed the whole course of the game.

"I don't remember the FAI saying after the game that we should give them a replay.

"There's a lot at stake, the Irish supporters deserve better, the manager deserves better probably most of the players deserve better but do the FAI deserve better? What goes around comes around.

"France were there for the taking and Ireland never grabbed it, usual stuff, afraid of that next step, mentally not strong enough, they can complain all they want its not going to change France are going to the World Cup, get over it

"I don't want the sympathy vote, the usual, the usual carry on, boring, bore you to death it would."

Keane's comments and the long standing grievances that he nurtures are far from boring, his comments today are likely to make him second only to Henry in popularity terms in Ireland with respect and sympathy for the stance that he took in 2002 likely to disappear as he appears to revel in the misfortunes of Paris.

THIS WEEKEND'S PADDY POWER SPECIALS

Given still not ruling out hoops move.

It's been running for even longer than 'Robbie for Celtic' but the idea of Shay Given returning to Celtic one day can't be ruled out.

The teenager that moved to Glasgow from Donegal certainly made a big impression on those that saw him play for the reserves or youth team although sadly that didn't include Lou Macari who allowed Kenny Dalglish to take Given to Blackburn Rovers in 1994 before new manager Tommy Burns could intervene.

Now after more than a decade at Newcastle, which must have seemed like a lifetime, Given is at a club serious about winning honours and is viewed by many to have been Mark Hughes best signing for Manchester City.

If Ireland are to overcome France and reach the World Cup Finals in South Africa it will require brilliance from Given to keep the French at bay.

Like Roy Keane through the 2002 qualifying campaign Given has been a man on a mission, desperate to repeat the experiences of Japan and South Korea to make up for the lack of domestic success in his career.

As a regular visitor to Celtic Park Given knows more about Celtic than most and despite his happiness at Manchester City he wouldn't rule out a possible move to Celtic before he hangs up his gloves.

Speaking to fifa.com about finishing his career with Manchester City he said: "I'd love to finish my career here. I haven't been here long, but I already feel at home and love the club.

"I grew up a Celtic supporter and they have a big place in my heart, but I really hope I can finish my career here. You can never say never, but I'd like to think I will. "

It wasn't quite a 'come and get me plea to Celts' but despite the obvious difference in finances and indeed prospects between Celtic and Manchester City the lure of an offer from Celtic at some stage would be hard to resist.

The interview with fifa.com was in a Question and Answer style so rather than add some spin and pad it out into something that it's not I've copied through some of the interview below.

FIFA.COM How did you feel when you drew France?

SG We knew it was going to be tough, no matter who we drew. Some people would say that France are the best team in the play-offs, but we're just focusing on going out there and playing our own game.
FIFA.COM Do you think the absence of Franck Ribery will be a big advantage?

SG Yeah, he's a top player. But his replacement will be another quality player - France simply don't have weak players.

FIFA.COM What will the atmosphere be like at Croke Park for the first leg on Saturday? Do you think this will be a big advantage to the Irish?

SG It's going to be a very special occasion. It will be sold out and the atmosphere will be absolutely electric, so I think this will work in our favour. The Irish supporters are very, very passionate and their support will give us a big lift.

FIFA.COM What would it mean to you and the people of Ireland to play at South Africa 2010?

SG It would mean a hell of a lot to the people of Ireland to qualify. There's a lot of doom and gloom about with the recession, so it would be good to give the people something to look forward to. I played at the World Cup in 2002 and it was a great experience, the pinnacle of my career so far. I'd love to do that again.

FIFA.COM Finally, do you believe Republic of Ireland will beat France and reach South Africa 2010?

SG We have to believe. We know France are the favourites but that's fine with us, it means there's more pressure on them. We need to just play our own game and give it everything. We have two massive games in front of us, but I think we're in with great chance of reaching the World Cup.