IT’S ROW KEANE

ROY KEANE was involved in a behind-the-scenes bust-up with Harry Arter and Jonathan Walters during Ireland’s summer matches.

But Martin O’neill insists the matter has been ‘defused’ ahead of the Nations League campaign and that it is all systems go for the new competition.

Assistant boss Keane (left) took Arter and Walters to task over a particular issue in the build up to the USA game – and the flare up escalated quickly.

“I’m not denying there hasn’t been altercations,” O’neill told Mirror Sport. “But the situation has definitely been defused and it’s just part of things.

“In one of the particular arguments, the two lads – Roy and the particular player – were

actually in agreement about the same thing but it took them time to realise it. Roy has been a big supporter of Jon Walters (above), for instance, as he is particularly close to one of the Burnley coaching staff and is always keeping Jon’s end up. But I can’t say there wasn’t an altercation – absolutely.”

O’neill continued: “It wouldn’t be the first one and I was involved in one myself just before the Euros.

“I was hoping I’d get a bit of help from the coaching staff quicker than it came.”

O’neill says he would always encourage his players to find their voice if there is an issue to raise in camp. “I want players to be up front,” he said. “But you can voice an opinion without it escalating.”