Roy Keane has a bit of a reputation.
The no-nonsense player developed into a pretty intimidating assistant manager and his trademark death stare has become the stuff of nightmares in recent years.
But, behind the terrifying facade he likes to put forward, Keane is not an unapproachable character, according to his former Republic of Ireland teammate Shay Given.
Given, who retired from the international set-up last week, has claimed that the Irish assistant manager is not the heartless figure he tends to portray and that he was the one who convinced the goalkeeper to return to Martin O’Neill’s side in 2014 after initially retiring two years earlier.
“Roy is an interesting character,” Given said on RTÉ Radio One on Thursday. “Roy is the reason why I got back involved.
“I retired after the Euro’s in 2012 and Roy was the assistant at Aston Villa and he could see every day in training that I had something to offer.
“He had a big influence on me coming back to the Irish set-up and I’m thankful for that, and obviously getting into Martin O’Neill’s ear and bringing me back.”
Given also revealed that his decision to step away from the Republic of Ireland team at the age of 40 was met with a heartfelt response from the former Manchester United enforcer.
“I text him last week over my retirement and he sent me back a really touching message and very kind words he said to me,” Given added.
“People always talk about his attitude or whatever like he’s unapproachable and stuff but inside the camp with the lads over the last few years, he’s been brilliant.”
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