Keano still a mystery

ROY KEANE will always remain a man of mysterious ways and thinking.

Two weeks ago he reminded people, in the aftermath of the Manchester bombing, that football was not a matter of life and death and that football fans needed to put the game in its rightful place in the greater scheme of things.

Then, on Friday afternoon, in the tense countdown to today’s crucial World Cup qualifying tie against Austria at Aviva Stadium, he came out and demanded the ultimate sacrifice if necessary from the Irish players.

‘People have done a lot more for their country than break their legs,’ he remarked, in reference to Séamus Coleman’s horrific injury against Wales.

‘People have died for their country, all we’re asking is that they put their bodies on the line to try and win a game.’

Today’s game is the most important football game Ireland might get to play in this decade, or it might not be? There is still a long road to the finals in Russia in 2018.

In situations like these, cool heads can be just as important as reckless commitment.