Roy Keane has been named by Johnny Giles as the man he would want beside him in a war.
Both men had reputations for being tough, no nonsense midfielders in their playing days and Giles admits the former Manchester United captain is one of his favourite footballers of all-time.
Former Ireland manager Giles, 79, also believes the infamous Saipan incident ahead of the 2002 World Cup doesn't tarnish Keane's career.
He told Off The Ball: "No, I don't it tarnishes Roy Keane as a player in any way. It was an unfortunate thing that happened and we are better off not talking about it because there is so much more to Roy Keane!
"I have always said that if I was in trouble, in a war, I would want Roy Keane beside me.
"One of the biggest compliments that I can pay him is that he was at his best when his team-mates needed him the most.
"In other words, if you were winning 3-0 then Roy Keane could go off the pitch. But if you were losing 1-0 or 2-0 with 15 or 20 minutes to go, then he was the man who was going to drive it on for Manchester United and Ireland.
"That is the temperament and the personality that he had."
Giles also pointed out a trait that many great players have which was evident in Keane.
The Leeds United legend added: "He was never satisfied with himself and I found that with all the great players, they are never satisfied with themselves.
"When I hear them talking after a match, and they have had a great game, they will concentrate on the two or three things that they didn't do well.
"I never saw Roy Keane when he was satisfied with himself, on the pitch - and that is his temperament as well.
"There were times where he could have been kinder to his teammates, but not very often.
"He was driving, driving, driving. But the thing was, he wasn't just driving his mates, he was driving himself.
"If I needed someone beside me in a hard match, with people getting stuck in - I would want Roy Keane beside me."
