Strachan: Working with Keane 'a privilege'
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has described the six months he spent working with Roy Keane – who called time on his glittering playing career yesterday – as"a privilege".
Years of operating as Manchester United’s midfield enforcer have finally caught up with Keane, who after taking medical advice has opted to hang up his boots.
The Corkman enjoyed one last hurrah by helping Celtic win the Bank of Scotland Premier League title after joining the Hoops in January, and Strachan was full of praise for Keane’s contribution to the cause.
“Roy Keane is one of the greatest ever players to grace the game of football,” said Strachan. “It was fantastic we were able to bring him to Celtic and it has been a privilege to work with him.
“We were delighted to make Roy’s dream come true when we signed him and we were happy when he made our dream come true, by helping us to win the title.
“It has been a privilege to work with him and while we would have very much liked Roy to continue for the remaining year of his contract, everyone at the club fully understands and respects the decision he has made.”
While Keane has always preferred to play down his contribution to the cause of Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Celtic, others have been more forthcoming, particularly United boss Alex Ferguson.
The Scot effectively terminated Keane’s Red Devils career in November when, after a much-publicised but never-broadcast MUTV rant by his captain, Ferguson decided a parting of the ways was required.
Despite the split, the United manager’s admiration for Keane remains undimmed and even though the competition is fierce, Ferguson could pay no higher compliment than confirm he rates Keane as the best player he has ever had.
“Roy’s obsession with winning and the demand he put on others made him the most influential player in the dressing room,” said Ferguson.
“He became a great captain through that and to my mind he is the best player I’ve had in all of my time here. Over the years when they start picking the best teams of all time, he’ll be in there.”
To most observers, Keane’s finest hour came in Turin during the 1999 Champions League semi-final when he dragged United back from a two-goal deficit to beat Juventus, even though he had picked up a booking which meant he would miss the final.
“His display in Turin in 1999 was selfless; just wonderful,” said Ferguson. “It was a tragedy he wasn’t able to play in the final in Barcelona.”
Of course, Keane was already lost to Old Trafford before yesterday’s announcement.
It is Celtic who must find a way of existing without him. Although he made only 13 appearances for the Glasgow giants after fulfilling an ambition by joining them in January, his loss will be keenly felt.
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