Fergie backs Keane's Republic return
Roy Keane’s international retirement U-turn had the full backing of Alex Ferguson and the Manchester United skipper insists his return to the Ireland fold is not a gamble.
Like Red Devils striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, Keane’s Old Trafford future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, with most pundits claiming his decision to play for Ireland in their forthcoming World Cup campaign has caused a major rift with Ferguson.
Increasingly outraged by the allegations, the United skipper accompanied his manager and van Nistelrooy to an unprecedented press briefing yesterday to ridicule suggestions that he will be heading for Celtic this summer and explain that his Irish return has not led to arguments within the Old Trafford camp.
While Ferguson admitted he had not been specifically consulted over last Wednesday’s friendly in Poland, which Keane intended to play in before being forced out with a hamstring injury, he said the 32-year-old’s about-turn had his full support.
And though Keane is still troubled by the hip which required surgery at the start of last season, the Cork-born star is adamant his health is not at risk by the extra demands international combat will make and that the number of matches he plays will be monitored as each campaign progresses.
“I believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that I can combine my appearances for United with those for Ireland,” said Keane.
“I don’t see it as a gamble. It’s an extra five games a season. Some are at the end of the season and others are double-headers so I honestly don’t see a problem.
“I don’t want to go into the ins and outs of why I have gone back but it was something I wanted to do and I felt it was the right thing to do.
“I have waited this long because I felt there were too many uncertainties to go back last year. I feel I can manage my hip a lot better now and that the uncertainties I had at the time are gone now.
“When I went over last week everything was great – everything seemed a lot more professional, and that was one of the plusses when I went back.”
Both Keane and Ferguson were at pains to stress their agreement over the player’s return, which came less than two years after his infamous World Cup walk-out in Saipan.
“When Roy spoke to me about going back to Ireland, I encouraged him because I thought it was the best move for his family,” said the United boss.
“At this stage of his career I felt that the five qualifying games of real importance to Ireland would be within his compass, so long as we could manoeuvre the games around that period.
“We could be playing Liverpool or Arsenal before an international game but I still felt that was the best thing for Roy’s future.”
As for the long-standing rumours linking him with Celtic, Keane rejected them out of hand.
“I try not to get involved in this kind of stuff, but it’s come to a head now and it has got to be nailed,” he said.
“I am very happy here. I have two years left on my contract and have every intention of seeing those two years out.
“I would have thought I would finish my career here, so talk of me leaving, from my point of view, is absolutely ridiculous.”
