Jonathan Walters hits back at 'bully' Roy Keane over comments about crying on TV

Former Republic of Ireland international Jonathan Walters claims Roy Keane's recent comments show his true personality.

Former Nottingham Forest player and assistant manager Keane reopened a war of words with Walters, who he managed at Ipswich and with Ireland, by mocking him for crying on television when speaking about the death of his mother and other family tragedies.

Speaking at a Cadbury's Off The Ball roadshow Keane said: "He talks a good game. Imagine if he'd won a trophy. He's crying on the TV about his family situation.

"Maybe he should lie low for a while, have a look at his medals? That wouldn't take long."

Walters accused his former manager of being a bully and thinks his indifference towards Keane is what gets a response.

"The football side of it I can take, his medals and all of that, it really doesn't bother me," Walter said on JOE podcast and YouTube show Liquid Football.

"He doesn't get to me one bit and that is what bothers him the most, that I snub him. That might get to him, I don't know.

"The other stuff is a bit close to the bone. What he went into, the crying on TV, that is something that I never expected.

"To go there, whether he meant it or not - he probably did - it didn't bother me, but it just shows a side of him that I know.

"There are other things he said I can take it, but don't lie. I don't claim to be a tough guy, I stand up to bullies."

Jonathan Walters of Republic of Ireland (Getty)

Keane, currently out of the game after quitting Forest in pre-season, has gained a reputation as an acid-tongued pundit, recently criticising his former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

But Walters, who revealed he almost had a physical fight with Keane when at Ipswich, says his hard-man persona is an act.

He added: "I don't know why people pay attention, why they get worried.

"Yes, he was an unbelievable player, he was known as a hard man on the pitch or a tough guy.

"Just because someone has a sharp tongue or a stare doesn't make them a tough guy.

"My brother-in-law was a marine commando, went to war. He's a tough guy.

"I was never scared of (Keane) as a player."