Martin O’Neill has admitted Roy Keane’s involvement in an alleged altercation at the Republic of Ireland’s team hotel has been a distraction before their Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland.
The Ireland manager and the Football Association of Ireland have given full backing to Keane following an incident at the Links Hotel in Portmarnock on Wednesday that is currently under Gardai investigation. No criminal complaint has been made after a man was reportedly taken to hospital following an exchange with Ireland’s assistant manager and O’Neill played down the incident at his pre-match press conference in Glasgow.
But, coming just 48 hours before his unbeaten team attempt to enhance their qualification prospects at Celtic Park, O’Neill conceded the furore was not helpful to Ireland’s preparations. The former Celtic manager said: “It was a distraction, that’s all it was. Really. I’ve made a statement earlier today and there’s not much more I can talk about. I think we are fine, the players are fine and the man in question (Keane) is fine too. He is OK.”
Asked whether Keane had explained matters to the squad, O’Neill added: “Why would he do that? No, he hasn’t. He spoke to me. That’s all that matters. Listen, the incident is over and that’s it. A distraction and that’s really it.”
As mentioned, O’Neill had issued a video statement on behalf of the FAI prior to the squad’s departure for Glasgow on Thursday. Speaking from the team hotel, he read: “The FAI and I have been fully briefed about the circumstances of what happened at the team hotel last night.
“Roy asked that the Gardai be called and he has notified them of what happened. While this process is ongoing, we are unable to say more at this point. However, I can say that having been made aware of the facts, Roy has both my full support and the full support of the FAI and (chief executive) John Delaney.”
Issuing statements and fielding questions about Keane on the eve of an important qualifier, one loaded with significance for a former Celtic manager back in the east end of Glasgow, was only part of the pre-match disruption for O’Neill. James McCarthy joined fellow central midfielder Glenn Whelan on the injury list on Thursday with a hamstring problem suffered in Everton’s draw at Sunderland on Sunday.
“Naturally it is a blow,” said the Ireland manager on losing arguably his first-choice central midfield. “James McCarthy was always an outside chance. He has improved immensely since Sunday.
“He had another scan, which came back clear and that is good news for the lad, but with it being a muscle injury we needed him to do something by today. In the end we decided it was better not to risk him.”
Their absence increases the prospect of Derby County’s 22-year-old midfielder Jeff Hendrick starting against Scotland and O’Neill admits the fixture will test every player’s mentality. “He’s a talented player and with every week he plays for Derby County he’s getting more experience,” he said of Hendrick. “But you know this match will test the most experienced players, they will still have a nervousness about them. Sometimes in games like this the irony of it all is that some of the young players dismiss the nervousness and fly through. It is a big game for everyone regardless of how many times they’ve played for their country.”
McCarthy’s injury leaves his Everton team-mate Aiden McGeady as the lone Scottish-born player likely to start for Ireland and as an obvious target for the Scotland crowd.
But, on the hostility awaiting McGeady on his return to Celtic Park, Robbie Keane, another former Celtic player, said: “Certainly from my experience that sort of thing is something you enjoy. Knowing Aiden as I do I don’t think it will affect him. I’m sure he’ll rise to the occasion as he has done in the last few games. He was a great player for Celtic and he’s excited to come back here. I’m sure the crowd will boo him but he’ll enjoy that.”
