Roy’s role!
ROY KEANE knows he is unpopular with Ireland’s players – but does not care a bit.
While it is a stretch to suggest Keane is Public Enemy No.1 within the Irish squad – the fiery former Manchester United captain is fully aware he is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Still, he has made a huge impact since hooking up with Martin O’Neill to form one half of the Republic’s management team three years ago.
After going 14 years without a win against a top-ranked team in a competitive game, Ireland have subsequently beaten world champions Germany, as well as Italy, Bosnia and Austria, getting to the last 16 of Euro 2016 and to second in their World Cup qualifying group.
Another win over the Austrians at the Aviva Stadium today, coupled with a win or draw for Wales in Serbia, would leave O’Neill and Keane in the driving seat in the battle to qualify from Group D.
Ireland’s upturn in fortunes is down to two men – O’Neill and Keane – well, actually three men.
James McClean has become the team’s talisman in this campaign, with his temper curbed and his attitude changed.
Has Keane helped him mature from the team’s bad boy to its main man?
“No,” Keane said. “If I worked with him, he’d be in big trouble. Big trouble.
“The reality is, if the players want to improve we are there to help them. The bottom line is it comes from them, not us.
“Sometimes you try and help players out, whether you have a go at them, give them a pat on the back or leave them alone. You have got to get that balance right.
“The manager here is brilliant and experienced at that kind of thing and we try to do it a little bit, the backroom staff as well.
“But, as I said, the key is trying to know different personalities and sometimes the key is keeping away from them. I am pretty sure a lot of the players probably don’t particularly like me so I would keep my distance from them. When we work, we work and when we’re off, we stay away from each other.”
Four points clear of their rivals, an Irish victory today would spell the end of the Austrians’ World Cup hopes. And Marcel Koller’s team is in crisis.
They are down to their fourth-choice keeper after normal No.1 Ramazan Ozcan quit international football midway through this campaign.
Left-back Andreas Ullmer decided to walk up the aisle, not out at The Aviva today, choosing to get married on this of all weekends.
Forwards Alessandro Schopf, Marcel Sabitzer, Marko Arnautovic and Marc Janko are all injured or suspended.
The three strikers in his squad – Guido Burgstaller, Michael Gregoritsch and Deni Alar have just 12 caps, but more significantly no international goals, between them.
But Keane said: “We’re under no illusions, we know it will be a very, very tough game and we have to be at our best to get a result. Jesus Christ I wish it was that easy.” Today, 5pm, SS1