Ah, Roy. Never a dull moment.
With 48 hours to go until Ireland’s Euro 2016 clash against Belgium thing are heating up nicely.
Ireland’s performance in the 1-1 draw with Sweden on Monday, coupled with Belgium’s turgid display in their 2-0 defeat by Italy, has caused optimism to rise among Irish fans ahead of the clash with the No 2 ranked side in the world.
Roy Keane was speaking in Versailles on Thursday afternoon and the assistant manager was quick to shut down the suggestion that Ireland may even be favourites for Saturday’s game.
In fact he went further than that, suggesting a Belgium journalist may have had a few scoops for having the temerity to suggest that Ireland may even be favourites.
Belgian journo suggests Ireland are favourites for game. Keane says "I think you've been drinking". #IRL
— Mikey Stafford (@me_stafford) June 16, 2016
Keane also revealed that he doesn’t have much sympathy for Belgium’s coach Marc Wilmots, who is bearing the brunt of the criticism for their weak showing on Monday night.
RK: criticism of Wilmots won't keep me awake tonight. It is the lot of the manager.
— Mikey Stafford (@me_stafford) June 16, 2016
Keane also shot down comparisons between Ireland and Italy.
And then in typically contradictory Keane fashion refused to say that Belgian aren’t a ‘great side’ but also said that there are not a lot of great sides out there, a statement most would agree with having watched the tournament so far.
RK: Harsh to say Belgium are not a great team. There are not that many great teams out there" #IRL
— Mikey Stafford (@me_stafford) June 16, 2016
RK: Dangerous to compare us to Italy. They have been playing that way for a long, long time. #IRL
— Mikey Stafford (@me_stafford) June 16, 2016
All in all we’re heading for another seismic occasion on Saturday afternoon. Just don’t claim Ireland are favourites.
