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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Roy Keane not impressed by the Republic of Ireland's 3-0 loss to England

Roy Keane was not impressed with a number of aspects of the Republic of Ireland's performance in their 3-0 defeat to England on Thursday night.

Goals from Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Gareth Southgate's side victory in a friendly at an empty Wembley Stadium.

Maguire, wearing the captain's armband, headed his side in front after 18 minutes and Sancho's fine finish put the hosts in complete control before halftime.

Calvert-Lewin's well-taken penalty after the break added some gloss for the hosts as England sharpened up for their crucial Nations League clashes against Belgium and Iceland.

But Keane, who was assistant Ireland manager to Martin O'Neill from 2013 to 2018,  wasn't happy with how the Boys in Green performed in London.

He told ITV: "Ireland were okay in the first 15, 20 minutes but I always felt England looked dangerous going forward.

"There was a build-up of pressure with some set-piece deliveries, which was good from England’s point of view.

Ireland's Matt Doherty dejected after the game (©INPHO/Tommy Dickson)

"Ireland would still be disappointed because they gave away two sloppy goals.

"I think Shane Duffy was favourite to win that header.

"When it goes back between Duffy and Maguire, you’re thinking ‘Who wants it the most?’ Duffy is having a difficult time at club level and Maguire seems to want it more."

"Jeff Hendrick has got to get tighter to Sancho. There’s no excuse because Jeff’s got to close him down. The idea at this level that players can be two or three yards off a dangerous player is not good enough.”

Keane added that he is concerned for Stephen Kenny.

He said: "It’s very hard work for the manager. His team were way off the pace but the worry for me is they need more fight. They didn’t even have a booking.

"England would have had tougher training days. I could have played tonight. It was cushy night for Jack Grealish, who is going to go onto great things."

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