Euro 2012: Roy Keane criticises Ireland’s senior players

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane criticises Giovanni Trapattoni's selection of Ireland's senior players

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By TSR staff Sunday 17 June 2012, 17:08 UK

Robbie Keane has failed to score in his last five Ireland gamesPhoto: Kelvin Gillmor

robbie keane

Roy Keane has launched a scathing attack on the Republic of Ireland’s senior players after their successive defeats at Euro 2012.

The 40-year-old was critical of Ireland’s attitude following their 4-0 loss to world and European champions Spain, and questioned the squad’s mentality heading into the tournament.

The former Ireland and Manchester United captain has grown tired of Giovanni Trapattoni’s continued selection of senior players despite the national team’s unfavourable results.

“You‘ll never beat the Irish?” he told the Sun.

“It‘s time for that song to be put away because, at the moment, everyone is beating them. I‘m sick of this ‘win, lose, we‘re on the booze‘ mentality. It has to change.

“The likes of [Robbie] Keane, Shay Given, Richard Dunne, John O‘Shea and Damien Duff are picked every game as they have a big reputation. A reputation for what? They hadn‘t qualified for anything in 10 years.

“They love having a dig back when I say something but I tell you now, I‘ll be ready if they do because players have to be accountable for how the team did.

“I‘m trying to be constructive but the manager and players all have to be accountable. It‘s not good shrugging our shoulders and having a sing-song.”

Ireland manager Trapattoni responded to Keane’s original comments on Saturday, suggesting the former Celtic midfielder should concentrate on his own coaching career rather criticising the national team.

“Roy Keane was a very great player. We know Ireland, when we played against him, was a strong team. This generation was very hard,” said Trapattoni.

“It is not my habit to be critical of other colleagues as coaches or managers, but what has he done after he finished playing?

“The players were strong in his time, playing at Manchester United, playing at Celtic, playing everywhere. They were a strong team.

“Roy Keane was a great player, a very great player. He obtained very great results as a player. Now he is a coach he should just stick to focusing on getting results as a coach.”