Ruud ‘shocked’ by Keano’s pre-match calm

RUUD van Nistelrooy has admitted he was ‘shocked’ by how calm Roy Keane would act in his preparations for United matches.

The ex-Reds captain had a reputation for being short-tempered on the pitch and that has carried through into his TV punditry.

Keane is regarded as one of the greatest leaders in Premier League history, though Van Nistelrooy has explained how would be left speechless by the Irishman’s pre-match preparations.

The legendary Dutch striker explained how Keane could be incredibly laid back before a game, only for a switch to go off as soon as the first whistle was blown.

“For me, he led the team in an unbelievable way,” Van Nistelrooy told Vibe with Five with Rio Ferdinand. “He kept you on your toes, I remember the way he prepared for a game, I was so shocked with that. He would be reading the programme, he’s sat there in the dressing room so calm, easy-going, a relaxed read. He would put on his Diadora boots, which were like rugby boots with big round studs. The shin pads were so small, no ankle protection, nothing. He’d jog a few times in the warm-up, the referees blows the whistle and there’s an animal on the pitch. I don’t know how, how does that happen?

“For me, that’s an ability, to just switch on to focus, he did it in training as well. He would hammer himself after a training session if he hadn’t played well. He set the standard for himself and everyone, which I appreciated. I had to get used to it though because, man, it was intense.”