You get the impression Roy Keane is enjoying tournament football.
This is the Corkman’s first experience of a major international finals in 22 years, since he was a 22 year-old central midfielder in the Republic of Ireland team that reached the second round of USA ’94.
That was half a lifetime ago and, you get the sense, the former Sunderland and Ipswich manager is enjoying the cut and thrust of Euro 2016.
He is watching lots of football everyday with his own boss Martin O’Neill, he is taking training almost daily, engaging in crossbar challenges with Steve Guppy and Seamus MacDonagh, and only has to face the media once a week.
I found the football petanque far more exhilarating pic.twitter.com/Q8wsrRyDVO
— Mikey Stafford (@me_stafford) June 16, 2016
Thursday was the day this week (or Matchday minus two, in UEFA speak) and Keane was up in front of the cameras to preview Saturday’s Group E encounter with Belgium in Bordeaux.
It wasn’t long, however, until the Ireland assistant manager was asked about kicking Eden Hazard up and down the training pitch.
Back in February, in his other role as an ITV pundit, Keane was asked what he made of the Belgian admitting it would be hard to turn down Paris St Germain if they made an offer to his current employers Chelsea.
He described the 2014-15 PFA player of the year as a “spoilt child”, who he would “kick up and down the training pitch” if he was a team-mate of his.
Keane being Keane, he stood by his comments on Thursday.
“It’s nothing against the lad, I think he is a talented boy. I would like him to be in our group. He is a really, really top player. Had a difficult season, I suppose, but maybe that is because he set his standards so high the previous season,” said Keane.
“Don’t get me the wrong way, I think he is an outstanding player. But if you asked me, if I was playing with anybody, whether it was Forest, Rockmount or Cobh Ramblers, and they were constantly talking – and it was true – they wanted to leave and they had a poor attitude to training, then I would I would kick them in training.
“But then I have done that with most players I suppose. Even lads who didn’t want to leave,” added Keane, as laughter echoed around Ireland’s gymnasium of a media centre.
Rk: "good chance Jon Walters will miss Blgium". "We're not hopeful" pic.twitter.com/ZrQiHr5Qws
— Mikey Stafford (@me_stafford) June 16, 2016
There was more hilarity towards the end of Keane’s 16-minute appearance here at Stade de Montbauron when a Belgian journalist asked if Ireland could take advantage of the World No 2’s poor form against Italy.
“Dangerous game for us. Looking at the players on paper,” said Keane, before turning the question back on the Belgian.
“Are you trying to suggest we’re favourites for the game? No, no, no. I think you have been drinking.”
“Not yet,” replied the Belgian as Roy took his leave.
Yeah, Keano is definitely enjoying himself. Watch the performance below for yourself.
