Ban Keane’s name and let’s get on with job in hand, Charlton tells team
FORMER Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton said that Roy Keane is now nothing more than World Cup history and must be quickly forgotten by each and every member of the national side.
"Roy Keane’s name should be banned from the Irish team hotel, their training preparations and especially the dressing room in the build-up to Saturday’s opening World Cup match against Cameroon in Niigata," Charlton said, in the wake of the skipper’s decision not to rejoin the squad.
"That’s the advice I would give to Mick McCarthy after what has probably been one of the most demanding weeks of the manager’s life. Roy Keane is now World Cup history and that is his own decision and we have to accept that situation."
Charlton, a World Cup winner with England in 1966, said that nothing could be gained by talking about the happenings of the last week and what effects it could have on the Republic’s squad, preparing for their Group E opener.
"There is no point brooding about the past. It’s up to Mick and the lads to get on with the job in hand. It would be pointless to think about what might have been. The whole Roy Keane saga must be put out of the mind.
"There are 22 players out there in Japan that are determined to show they can live with the best. And I have no doubt that they won’t let us down.
Hopefully Jason McAteer will have recovered from his injury as his experience will be vital.
"Before Roy’s departure, everyone expected Ireland to finish in the top two of their Group. Now, it will be absolutely magnificent if we can reach the round of the last 16.
"Even without Keane, I think highly of the Irish central midfield of Mark Kinsella and Matt Holland. But one of them will have to take over the role of helping out just in front of the centre of defence, where Keane was so effective.
"That will be vital if Ireland are to collect the three points. The centre of the Irish defence could be one of our vulnerable positions. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for Steve Staunton and his mates. It will require total concentration for the 90 minutes."
Charlton is confident that the striking partnership of Duff and Keane could prove to be the most important factor in Ireland’s bid to qualify for the second stage of the competition.
"Up front, Ireland have two of the most exciting young players in the world at the moment in Robbie Keane and Damien Duff. This is the biggest stage the game can offer and I can see them causing all sorts of problems for Cameroon.
"No one deserves success more than Mick McCarthy. Emerging from a qualifying group which included both Holland and Portugal was a magnificent achievement in itself.
"This is no time for the heads to be going down; get on with it lads and do the country proud."
