Roy Keane has declared the highlight of his football career came as he worked as assistant manager to Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill as the duo were reunited for an appearance on the Stick To Football podcast.
Former Celtic manager O’Neill made a bold move when he appointed Keane as his assistant following his appointment as Republic manager in 2013.
The duo successfully led the Republic to qualification for the Euro 2016 Finals, with Keane suggesting his early experiences with alongside O’Neill in the international set-up were the best of his decorated career in football.
“I go back throughout my career and my experience with Martin, particularly going to the Euros, was probably the highlight of my career,” said Keane.
“It sounds bizarre because we always talk about playing, and I loved playing, but our time with Ireland was probably the highlight.
“I just loved everything about it. The dynamics, the energy of the group, working with Martin and the other staff members. There was something going on there and there was a feelgood factor.
“The lads were decent. We probably did lack an out-and-out goalscorer, a bit of quality, all of those things, but we got to the Euros, we got to the Play-Offs (for the World Cup). It was one of the best times of my life.”
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Keane famously fell out with Republic players Jonathan Walters and Harry Arter in the final months of his time working with O’Neill in the set-up, as he denied O’Neill gave him too much freedom in his set-up.
“I wouldn’t say Martin would give me leeway, but he knew my personality and would let me bring that to the squad,” added Keane.
“I obviously had to know boundaries. I probably fell out with two players that I would have no time for because, to me, they weren’t training properly.
“I would rather fall out with them than not do my job, ignore it and pretend it’s not happening.
“The one or two players I fell out with Ireland, I have no problem with that because they weren’t doing what we wanted them to do.
“I would regret it more if I kept my mouth shut and said nothing.”
Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane (left) celebrate the Republic of Ireland’s qualification for Euro 2016
O’Neill’s engaging appearance on a podcast that featured Gary Neville, Jill Scott and Ian Wright alongside Keane saw him describe his former sidekick as ‘an acquired’ taste as he recalled how former FAI chief John Delaney reacted to his plan to recruit the ex-Republic captain.
“We had done work together on TV and I didn’t really know Roy at all, maybe only by reputation,” said O’Neill.
“When the Republic of Ireland job came up, I never had any problem taking him on. He was a big character and divided opinion with Saipan and the like, but I never had a problem with that.
“Roy had fought with most people at the time and John Delaney was the Chief Executive at this stage. He was a fan of Roy’s ability, but Roy had given him a bit of stick over time.
“When I told him I wanted to bring in an assistant and I wanted to bring Roy Keane in. After 15 minutes when I pulled him off the floor, he (Delaney) was terrific.”