Roy Keane cracks up ITV panel with dead-pan Jordan Henderson gag

Patrick McCarry

The man’s delivery is right up there.

Roy Keane gave Jordan Henderson his debut, at Sunderland, and has often spoken highly of the England midfielder.

Keane himself had a big effect on Henderson’s career, on and off the pitch and how he carried himself. The Liverpool star once spoke with The Daily Mail about not being tempted to ask for Lionel Messi’s jersey, after a game against Barcelona, before thinking twice.

“Did I think about asking for his shirt? No. I’ve never done it. Roy Keane told me when I was at Sunderland that if you ask for someone’s shirt, it looks like you are in awe of them.”

Keane, of course, learned a tough lesson on jersey swapping, early in his career, when Germany midfielder Matthaus Sammer snubbed his request. He was never caught out again.

With Henderson having such a positive World Cup campaign, in Qatar, there was an ITV feature on the England captain and his journey as a footballer. After, Gary Neville and Ian Wright both praised the midfielder while Keane had some nice words – and a dead-pan gag – for Henderson.

Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson pictured at the 2018 World Cup. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

Roy Keane has ITV panel laughing with Jordan Henderson joke

Ahead of England vs. France, Roy Keane spoke up Jordan Henderson and said the veteran midfielder often did not get the credit his performances and leadership merit.

“He’s a Sunderland lad, that’s a good start,” said Keane, who managed the Black Cats in the Championship and Premier League.

“We always felt, even at Sunderland, he loved the game. As a young player he went on loan and had challenges there. At Sunderland he did very well, obviously a Sunderland lad so that helps.

“Goes to Liverpool which wasn’t easy with Gerrard still around the place who was a great player and people try to compare them. He then took leadership roles at Liverpool and been successful, he’s done brilliant with England, we’ve seen all the stats there with the six tournaments, that’s all the stuff on the pitch… off the pitch he has done amazing stuff.

“He’s a really good kid, his family must be really proud of him, I’ve always liked Jordan, always liked him as a kid, and I think he’s a pretty humble guy. In saying that I did meet him a few months ago for breakfast, and I had to pay for it!”

Delivering that line in pure dead-pan style, Keane had the ITV panel, and host Mark Pougatch, in stitches with the line. For those of you not geo-blocked, here is the clip:

Jordan Henderson's 6th major tournament with England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿@IanWright0, @GNev2 & Roy Keane talk about the fantastic role model he has become 🙌#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Mx66oSlPky

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 10, 2022

Keane also joked about his jersey-spinning, bin-jumping celebration after scoring the winner in a pundits and production game, between ITV and BBC.

“Huge regrets about jumping the bin,” he remarked.

"Huge regrets about jumping the bin!"

Roy Keane with arguably the biggest goal at the World Cup so far 😆#ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/KMgUh1OlDy

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 10, 2022