“Unless he’s breastfeeding, he should be all right”.
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But Keane has declined Beckham’s offer to play under Ferguson, who is managing the GB and Ireland team, because of a potential worldwide commitment on the day in question.
Unlike his predecessor Giovanni Trapattoni, O’Neill never reveals his starting XI in his pre-match press conference but had warm words for Keane’s patriotism.
Today, however, was more Keane about playing to the crowd. “These are big games”.
“He’s not 26 or 27”. He’s in the latter stages of his career.
“Jack’s already played for Ireland and we were hoping it would continue”.
Seamus Coleman is still an injury worry, but Keane was asked if the birth of his second child means Robbie Keane is a doubt for the match.
“Wes has a knock on his heel from the weekend and it’s pretty sore”, Keane said.
“My wife had a baby at 7.0 on Monday evening”. Two hours in the hospital – so you can imagine that that went down well. Now, I’m here with the Irish team and I’m fully focused on being here.
“Unless he’s breastfeeding. Robbie’s had a game and has been travelling”.
“I think we’re a stronger team now as with any campaign – we were settling in at the start, we were new to the job”. We’ve got to be ruthless, get in their faces, make it tough and hopefully we can get result.
“I think he epitomises it here”, the manager said.
When asked whether he was enjoying the role, he harked back to the infamous row purpotedly over facilities that saw him leave Ireland’s 2002 World Cup squad.
Some of them were warming up with a few tries at the Crossbar Challenge, and Keano showed his class by nailing it first time.
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It all sounds good fun and the proceeds from the game are going to charity as well so it’s unlikely that any players will turn down the offer to walk out at Old Trafford.
