Players were ‘secretly concerned’ over Keane appointment, O’Neill admits

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has admitted some of his players were “secretly concerned” about working with his assistant Roy Keane.

Speaking last night in Naas, O’Neill explained how neatly his new sidekick settled into the fold despite some trepidation on the part of the players.

Keane attracted a reputation as an uncompromising operator from his managerial spells at Sunderland and Ipswich Town, a trait that O’Neill was determined to tweak into a positive element of their new collaboration in charge of Ireland.

While at the time of their appointment and the games against Latvia and Poland, O’Neill insisted Keane’s inclusion on the managerial ticket would be embraced within the set-up, he has now admitted there was a degree of nervousness among the players.

The Derry native conveyed his thoughts on the factors at play during the first meet-up of the squad almost three weeks ago.

“I think the players might secretly have been a little bit concerned about Roy, but he’s been really excellent,” said O’Neill.

"He's already made a great impression on the players themselves.

Jumped at the chance
"I just want to say something about Roy. When I mentioned to him if he fancied it (the job), he jumped at the chance.

“He jumped at it immediately and said “let’s go and do it, it will be great”.

“I personally think he’ll be fantastic for the nation.

“He wants to do it. He has enthusiasm – which is always there and is there in abundance.

“If enthusiasm alone was to get us through that would be great but unfortunately we need a bit of luck along the way. We’ve got some decent players as well.”

Evidence of Keane’s enthusiasm was there for all to see on the sidelines during the two opening games and he’s continued to dedicate himself passionately to the task.

Today, for example, he’ll not only be at Nottingham Forest’s Championship match against Reading at the City Ground tonight but will also have cast his eye on his former club’s next generation earlier in the day when their U21s host Coventry City.

Keane is then scheduled to link up with O'Neill at Goodison Park tomorrow where as many as six Irish players could feature in the Premier League game between Everton and Stoke City.

Hard at work
The pair were also hard at work last weekend, their first back on the beat following their international duties.

O’Neill turned up at Ewood Park to scout on Stephen Kelly and Alex Pearce in the Reading line-up against Blackburn, while his sidekick took in Stoke City’s top-flight fixture against Sunderland.

With his trademark dry wit, O’Neill stated last night he had to choose his words carefully in describing his new deputy, and used the host for the occasion – RTÉ correspondent Tommie Gorman – to illustrate the point.

“Tommie, of course, got the interview with Roy Keane after those famous days in Saipan (in 2002),” he said.

“He was the only one to get anything from Roy at that particular time and Lord may that continue.

“I’m only jesting; this might get back to Keane. I might lose an assistant manager – I might have lost him anyway.

“It’s hopefully going to be a bit of fun along the way. We’ll hopefully get Roy smiling once or twice and everybody might be happy.”

In the company of Irish sporting greats such as Kerry GAA legend Mikey Sheehy, Galway’s All-Ireland football championship winner Pádraic Joyce and ex-Ireland rugby international Mick Galwey, O’Neill posted an upbeat prediction for his tenure ahead.

There may a long lead-in to the European Championship qualifiers next September but the former Celtic manager doffed his hat to the past manager before looking ahead with optimism.

“I’m following in the footsteps of an absolute fantastic manager in Giovanni Trapattoni and it would be great to be successful with the Republic of Ireland,” he concluded.