Keane Hints at Ireland Return
By Chris O'Brien
December 30 2003
Manchester United skipper Roy Keane has hinted that his international career may not be over. The 32-year-old, capped 52 times for the Republic of Ireland, has not pulled on the green jersey since walking out on the squad during World Cup 2002 following an argument with manager Mick McCarthy.
| Keane Hints at Ireland Return |
| Despite his dramatic exit from
international football during the finals of the 2002 World Cup, United
skipper Roy Keane believes he could still do a job in the midfield for the
Republic of Ireland.
Keane has not kicked a ball in the green jersey since he walked out on the Ireland squad following a well-publicised argument with manager Mick McCarthy believed to be over the state of the training facilities for the national team. The 32-year-old officially announced his retirement from international football last year to help with a reoccurring hip injury, but in a recent interview Keane refused to rule out playing for his country again, now managed by Brian Kerr. "I do feel I could still do a job for Ireland. Then again, there are one or two players who I wouldn't fancy playing with because of what happened before," said Keane. "I watch some of the games and I think I could definitely do a job for the team. "But because I feel OK in myself now, it doesn't mean I've forgotten what the surgeon told me about how important it is to rest my hip." It is unlikely that Keane will add to his 58-caps in the Ireland shirt, although the slight hint he has given that his international career is not definitely over will be a big boost to many Irish fans, with the majority of them willing to welcome back Keane to help the Celtic nation. |