Harry Arter insists there is no hard feelings towards Roy Keane after their well-documented dispute.
Arter asked to be left out of the Republic of Ireland squad for last month’s games against Wales and Poland following a row with the national team’s assistant manager.
The midfielder, who is currently on loan at Cardiff City from Bournemouth, has since been reinstated to the Irish squad and has revealed that the matter has been put behind them after holding clear-the-air talks with Keane.
“We spoke like men and it’s water under the bridge. I wasn’t happy with what happened,” Arter told The Sun.
“I pulled out as it was best for myself and, most importantly, the squad.
Martin O'Neill: Roy and Harry have had a conversation. Harry is happy to be back and wants to put it behind him. He is happy with the outcome and looking forward to coming in. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/3D2zq1hwf3
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) October 4, 2018
“The good thing is, it’s been sorted. It wasn’t an apology I was after.
“I can take having arguments with people — that’s part of life.
“But I don’t like that sort of confrontation and wasn’t sure what the situation was between me and Roy.”
A leaked WhatsApp message from Stephen Ward provided some insight into the reason behind the bust-up as Keane reportedly grew frustrated by the fact that neither Arter nor Jon Walters were training during a session in May.
But Arter doesn’t hold any ill feeling towards Ward and has claimed that the squad is in great spirits again despite a winless start to their Uefa Nations League campaign.
Arter continued: “Wardy is very professional and made a mistake, not on purpose. He got stitched up by someone.
“I know Wardy was really disappointed about that, for the camp and for those involved.
“But he’s a great lad and I’d say the camp is a happy one now.
“Everyone is trying to fix what we need to fix and that’s picking up more results.”
