Manchester United’s famously temperamental legend Roy Keane has now taken up the assistant manager’s role for the Irish national team. He recently gave a sharp wake up call to the green army, telling them they had nothing to celebrate from Euro 2016.
Republic of Ireland drew the group of death in Euro 2016, having to face Belgium, Italy and Sweden. However, the Green Army unexpectedly made it out of the group stage in the European Championship with one win, one draw and one loss, before being knocked out by hosts France.
Assistant manager and Man United icon Roy Keane has now called upon the team to focus on their World Cup qualifier against Serbia on Sunday, rubbishing claims of a Euro hangover.
“I wouldn’t mind having that hangover if Ireland ever won the Euros, I’d have a hangover for a couple of years,” said Keane, according to the Mirror.
“But let’s be realistic, we got out of the group in France, we didn’t bloody win it. I don’t think we came back on a massive high.
“We had a good go at it and it was a great experience, I appreciate all that but there’s no doubt in my mind or the players about the importance of the game coming up.
“If we thought we’d one or two players in our group still having a jolly from the Euros, we’d nail them.”
Roy Keane is a classic hard man and one of the most aggressive footballers to have ever played the game. The Irishman is the joint most successful Irish footballer of all time, and the defensive midfielder captained Manchester United for eight years from 1997 to 2005.
The Republic of Ireland boasts of some talented players in the likes of Seamus Coleman, Harry Arter, Shane Long and Darren Randolph. Roy Keane brings with him leadership and experience at the top level of football, and the Green Army will be looking at him to guide the national team into the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Ireland face Serbia in their first world cup qualifying game, and will hope to beat the likes of Austria and Wales to the top spot.
